Lars Stindl brace eases Hannover relegation worries

Ten-man Hannover eased their relegation worries with a 2-1 win over high-flying Augsburg at the Impuls Arena, thanks to a brace from Lars Stindl.

Ex-Fulham midfielder Leon Andreasen squandered a good chance to put the visitors ahead early on when he sent his shot from Salif Sane's knockdown over the top of goal.

However, Hannover did take the lead when Jimmy Briand teed up Stindl to score from inside the Augsburg area.

Their lead did not last long, though, as Paul Verhaegh confidently converted from the penalty spot after Abdul Baba had been fouled by Hiroki Sakai.

Raul Marcelo Bobadilla was inches away from putting Augsburg ahead when he collected Verhaegh's pass and sent a shot towards goal just minutes after the restart.

Bobadilla's afternoon then went from bad to worse as his miss was punished when Stindl slotted home another Briand cross to put Hannover ahead.

Hiroshi Kiyotake could have extended his side's lead even further, but his left-footed curler from the edge of the area was kept out at full stretch by Marwin Hitz.

Sakai was given his marching orders late on for a second bookable offence, before Augsburg's Varhaegh and Bobadilla were both dismissed in added time to help Hannover hold on for a precious win.