Schalke 2-0 Paderborn
Goals: 1-0 Bülter (22’), 2-0 Churlinov (74‘)
Schalke returned to winning ways and just a point off third place with victory over Paderborn in an exciting Friday night encounter. The Royal Blues took a lead into the break after a tight first half thanks to the in-form Marius Bülter’s flicked header from a Thomas Ouwejan free-kick. The game burst to life in the second 45 minutes as the visitors pushed for a lifeline, but Schalke had the better of the opportunities and made one more count with a quarter of an hour remaining when Darko Churlinov was sent clean through and slotted home.

Dynamo Dresden 1-1 Heidenheim
Goals: 0-1 Schimmer (55'), 1-1 Daferner (60')
Heidenheim lost ground in the tight race for promotion after they were held to a draw away at promoted Dresden on Friday. Substitute Stefan Schimmer put the visitors ahead early in the second half, but Dynamo were handed an immediate chance to equalise when Jan Schöppner handled in the box. Dresden top scorer Christoph Daferner made no mistake from the spot for his 10th of the season. He had two further chances to snatch a win at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion but was unable to convert as Heidenheim held out for a point that leaves them two off Schalke in fifth.

Werder Bremen 1-1 Ingolstadt
Goals: 1-0 Füllkrug (75'), 1-1 Bilbija (85')
With St. Pauli playing on Sunday, Werder had the chance to move top of the table against second-bottom Ingolstadt, who had incentive of their own knowing that anything other than a defeat was enough to move them off the bottom. For the time being at least, both sides got their wish, but they had to settle for a share of the points. Niclas Füllkrug’s header looked to have sealed all three points for the hosts with 15 minutes to play before Filip Bilbija superbly levelled 10 minutes later, ending Werder’s run of seven wins on the bounce.

Holstein Kiel 0-2 Karlsruhe
Goals: 0-1 O’Shaughnessy (16'), 0-2 Schleusener (67')
Karlsruhe leapfrogged Kiel with a convincing 2-0 win at the Holstein-Stadion on Saturday afternoon, despite the hosts dominating possession for large parts. Finland international Daniel O’Shaughnessy’s first goal of the season gave the visitors a 16th-minute lead before second half substitute Fabian Schleusener doubled his side’s advantage just 10 minutes after climbing off the bench. It earned Karlsruhe a second successive league victory, while ending Kiel’s six game unbeaten run - and three match winning streak - in the process.

Sandhausen 1-1 Hamburg
Goals: 1-0 Testroet (15’), 1-1 Kittel (59’)
Hamburg missed the chance to go top of Bundesliga 2 after being held to a 1-1 draw in Sandhausen. Pascal Testroet scored early for the hosts, who were denied a second through Janik Bachmann following a VAR-ruled handball. Sandhausen hadn’t conceded in 350 minutes of Bundesliga 2 football, but their resistance was broken by Sonny Kittel in the 59th minute. Chances were at a premium for the remainder as Sandhausen secured a big point in their survival bid.

Fortuna Düsseldorf 3-1 Erzgebirge Aue
Goals: 1-0 Hennings (5'), 2-0 Ginczek (51'), 2-1 Owusu (77'), 3-1 Hennings (90')

Düsseldorf started Sunday third from bottom but hauled themselves out of the promotion/relegation playoff place with a resounding win over Aue. Rouwen Hennings' double bookended the win thanks to efforts in the fifth and 90th minute. Daniel Ginczek made it 2-0 after Hennings' early opener before Prince Osei Owusu's first goal of the season brought the visitors back into the game late on. It was Hennings who had the final say, though, making sure of victory in the final minute and taking his tally to 12 league strikes this term.

Darmstadt 1-1 Hansa Rostock
Goals: 1-0 Kempe (24'), 1-1 Sikan (65')

The hosts had the chance to jump into top spot with a victory but, as Pauli slipped up at home to Hannover, and both Hamburg and Werder were held to draws, Darmstadt too were unable to capitalise. They looked on course for first when Tobias Kempe gave them the lead midway through the first half but Danylo Sikan hauled Hansa level in the second period. It may have been a chance missed for Darmstadt but it was a crucial point for Hansa, who managed to keep themselves above Sandhausen in the promotion/relegation playoff place on goal difference.

STP St. Pauli FC St. Pauli - H96 Hannover Hannover 96

Matchday 23 round-up: Hannover stun Pauli as Bremen and Hamburg draw