Mirko Slomka's side had to be patient before finally breaking down a stern Nurnberg defence in the 64th minute through Kevin Kuranyi.

The Germany frontman had chances for a hat-trick, but the one goal was enough in the end as Nurnberg, who ended the game with 10 men following Tomas Galasek's 81st-minute red card, could not provide an answer.

Nurnberg set up camp inside their own half and made it clear they had arrived with only one intention - to defend.

It was a dangerous tactic against the league leaders, but it worked for 45 minutes as the visitors frustrated their hosts.

Kuranyi had a strike saved by a busy Raphael Schafer in the Nurnberg goal while Gerald Asamoah lifted his effort over the bar from point-blank range after Dario Rodriguez mis-hit his shot.

Marcelo Bordon headed wide of the goal before Jan Kristiansen fired in Nurnberg's only shot on target, which took Manuel Neuer by surprise to such an extent he needed several attempts to clasp the ball.

Hans Meyer's side were obviously waiting for Schalke to tire before trying to hit back.

Before that happened, though, the Royal Blues were ahead.

Kuranyi was frustrated at not being given a penalty when Michael Beauchamp held him inside the area, but he put that behind him to score the only goal of the game.

Hamit Altintop provided the cross from the right and Kuranyi raced in at the near post to meet the ball full on and give Schafer no chance from a yard out.

Kuranyi had the chance to make it two within minutes when he beat the offside trap and was put through, but his neat lob landed on the roof of the net.

The away side finally showed some signs of life when Marek Mintal came off the bench, but any hopes they had of equalising were ruined when referee Florian Meyer sent Galasek for an early bath nine minutes from time.

Altintop was breaking from his own half and tumbled over the Czech international's legs on the halfway line. Meyer ruled it a professional foul with Galasek as the last man.

The decision was harsh, but the home side would argue they should have been given a penalty earlier on.

Schalke were unable to take advantage of their extra man, but they did not have to with Kuranyi's goal sufficient to keep Schalke them at the summit with two games remaining.