Sebastian Landkamp headed the hosts ahead in the sixth minute before Huntelaar intervened in the 38th minute with his 24th league goal.

For all Schalke's possession Augsburg had far the better chances with Axel Bellinghausen twice going close in the second half.

Schalke stay in third, two points clear of Borussia Monchengladbach, while Augsburg are four points clear of the drop zone with two games to play.

Hannover missed the chance to put pressure on Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League places with a meek 0-0 draw at home to Freiburg.

Hannover edged their visitors for possession but could not make the breakthrough and sit three points behind Leverkusen and five behind Stuttgart.

The point mathematically guarantees Freiburg's Bundesliga safety.