1860 keep touch with the leading pack

Allianz Arena, Munich - TSV 1860 München moved to within five points of the 2. Bundesliga promotion places thanks to a 2-1 home victory over Alemannia Aachen on Sunday.

Both sides went into the game on the back of some excellent form, and Reiner Maurer's charges were made to come from behind after Benjamin Auer put Aachen in front early on. Alexander Ludwig levelled the scores midway through the first half, and with the game looking as though it was heading for a tie, Benjamin Lauth headed home to ensure 1860 registered their sixth win of the season whilst extending their unbeaten run to eight matches.

The visitors harried from the start found themselves ahead just eight minutes in. Zoltan Stieber delivered the perfect cross from the left for Auer, who stabbed home at the second attempt after his initial header had been parried by Gabor Kiraly. The Lions almost responded immediately through Florin Lovin's header, while it took a superb challenge from Thomas Stehle to halt Halfar in his tracks minutes later.

Inspired by that spell of pressure, the hosts grabbed a deserved equaliser on 23 minutes. Aleksandar Ignjovski plotted his way down the left before crossing for Halfar, who teed up Ludwig to crash into the far corner. 1860 almost turned the tables completely moments later, but Daniel Bierofka's strike cannoned back off the post following another purposeful run.

Aachen threatened once more ahead of the break as Stieber's curling free-kick clipped the bar, and indeed it was they who created the first chance of the second period, Stehle nodding Kevin Kratz's corner inches wide. 1860 were soon causing a stir at the other end, but Lauth's scuffed finish under pressure was tipped wide by David Hohs.

The game lost some of its earlier verve heading into the final stages, though the home side should have gone in front when Ludwig failed control Lauth's ball through. Stieber sent another dangerous free-kick inches over for the visitors, but it was the Lions who snatched the points eight minutes from time as Lauth rose to head substitute Moritz Leitner's cross into the net.