Nurnberg created more chances but Raffael scored the only goal of the game for Hertha in the 74th minute to leave the visitors in the relegation zone and needing to win next weekend to have a chance of avoiding the drop.

They might have been relegated this week had Arminia Bielefeld beaten Borussia Dortmund, but a 2-2 draw at the Schuco Arena keeps Nurnberg alive.

Last year Nurnberg won the German Cup at the Olympiastadion but this time around they came into the game under very different circumstances, needing to catch Bielefeld to stay in the division.

They began with purpose and created the first clear chance of the game, but Marek Mintal sent his shot wide after good work from Ivan Saenko.

The visitors were on the attack again four minutes later but Angelos Charisteas' header went just over Jaroslav Drobny's goal.

They then had a penalty appeal turned down in the 26th minute as the referee ruled that Hertha defender Josip Simunic had not handled the ball in the area.

Saenko's looping shot in the 65th minute had the beating of Drobny but defender Steve von Bergen got back on the line to clear the ball away.

Raffael then delivered a cruel blow in the 74th minute, latching on to a through ball to beat Nurnberg goalkeeper Daniel Klewer with the shot.

Nurnberg's frustrations grew as they had a second penalty appeal turned down - this one after Charisteas tumbled over in the penalty area.

The result leaves Nurnberg in 16th place on 33 points, two behind Arminia.

Nurnberg host Schalke next weekend while Bielefeld travel to Stuttgart.