Eigler header gives Nuremberg play-off edge

Bundesliga side Nuremberg finally made home advantage count on Thursday as Christian Eigler’s late header sealed a 1-0 win over Augsburg in the first-leg of their play-off relegation battle.

Having battered the Augsburg defence for most of the game, and had a second-half penalty saved, Nuremberg got the breakthrough in the 84th minute.

Second-half substitute midfielder Marcel Risse floated in a cross and Eigler powered his header past Augsburg goalkeeper Simoan Jentzsch.

Jentzsch had been Augsburg’s saviour on 67 minutes when he flung himself to the right to save a penalty from Albert Bunjaku.

Having finished third from bottom of the Bundesliga, Nuremberg are trying to avoid joining Hertha Berlin and Bochum in the second division with the second-leg at Augsburg still to come on Sunday.