Stuttgart sneak past Carl Zeiss Jena

Stuttgart head into the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal after they saw off fourth-tier side Carl Zeiss Jena in the second round this evening.

Martin Harnik put the Bundesliga side in front after 22 minutes as the Austrian found some space in the box and stroked the ball beyond the Jena goalkeeper.

Stuttgart could have made it two moments later after Timo Werner was played in by a long ball, but the young German was denied by Raphael Koczor at his near post.

Jena then came close in the second half as Manfred Starke had a free header, but the forward could only hit the side-netting.

Alexandru Maxim had a corner in the second half that missed everyone as it dangerously swung in front of the Jena goal but no Stuttgart man could make contact.

The Romanian would ensure Stuttgart's victory from the penalty spot in the final minute after Niclas Erlbeck handled the ball on the line, and Maxim stepped up to put away the spot kick and seal their place in the next round of the German Cup.