2. Bundesliga Saturday Konferenz round-up | OneFootball

There were huge wins for Karlsruher, Hertha, and Nürnberg - with Schalke tasting defeat for the first time in seven league outings.

Karlsruher SC 2-1 Schalke 04

The league leaders had an early scare just five minutes in when a KSC penalty appeal was overturned for offside, seemingly sparking Schalke into life. Nikola Katić twice went close in quick succession - first sending an effort over before looping a header onto the roof of the net.

Schalke pressed high and with intensity for most of the half, suffocating their hosts in their own half. Both keepers were called into action before the break: Hans Christian Bernat denied Kenan Karaman from a tight angle, while Loris Karius thwarted Fabian Schleusener to keep it goalless at half-time.

The second half began much like the first, with Schalke dominating possession. Their pressure finally paid off just after the hour mark when Marcel Franke brought down Katić and Karaman converted from the spot to give the visitors the lead.

That goal jolted KSC into life. They responded on 76 minutes as David Herold’s corner was met by Marcel Beifus, whose towering header levelled the score.

The final stages were frantic, with both sides pushing for a winner. Deep into stoppage time, Marvin Wanitzek’s cross was flicked on by Christopher Kobald, and Schleusener - in red-hot form - poked home to spark pandemonium at the BBBank Wildpark.

A memorable comeback for KSC, who climb temporarily to fifth, while Schalke suffer a rare defeat but remain top for now.

Hertha BSC 2-0 Dynamo Dresden

In front of a packed Olympiastadion, both teams started brightly, committing men forward in a lively opening. Hertha went close first through Luca Schuler, but Lennart Grill kept him out. The Dresden keeper was beaten moments later, though, as Michaël Cuisance weaved through several defenders before burying a fine strike into the far corner to make it 1-0.

It was a familiar story for Dresden, still without a clean sheet this season. Thomas Stamm’s side pushed forward in search of an equaliser but were undone once again before half-time - conceding their fourth penalty of the campaign. Michal Karbownik was clumsily tripped by Claudio Kammerknecht, and captain Fabian Reese converted emphatically to double Hertha’s lead.

Hertha controlled proceedings after the break, allowing Dresden more possession but keeping them at arm’s length. Kofi Amoako went closest for the visitors, forcing Tjark Ernst into his first real save of the day.

The second half fizzled out, but Hertha won’t mind after a disciplined, professional display - their third consecutive home win - as they close the gap on the promotion places. For Dresden, it’s now eight without a win and a slide to 17th on goal difference.

1. FC Nürnberg 2-1 Eintracht Braunschweig

In a clash between two sides hovering near the bottom, both were understandably cautious early on. Nürnberg, however, struck first after a superb team move from back to front - Julian Justvan’s cross was met by Mohamed Alí Zoma, who volleyed home in style.Things got even better for Miroslav Klose’s men after half an hour as Zoma turned provider, driving down the left to set up Finn Becker for a composed finish into the corner to make it 2-0.

Braunschweig pulled one back just before the break when Kevin Ehlers nodded in a Sven Köhler free-kick to give his side hope.

The second half was a battle of attrition, with both teams giving everything but cancelling each other out. Braunschweig dominated possession and pushed late, but Nürnberg held firm to claim a vital 2-1 win - moving up to 12th, while Braunschweig slip to 14th after a second straight defeat.