FC Schalke 04 missed the leap into the promotion zone of the second Bundesliga.

The Bundesliga relegated team couldn't get more than 1-1 (1-1) at Karlsruher SC in an intense and exciting game on Saturday.

The Gelsenkirchen team, who, as announced, ran out without the lettering of their controversial Russian sponsor Gazprom on their shirts, took the lead with striker Simon Terodde's 16th goal of the season (27th minute).

Kyoung-Rok Choi (34th) equalized for KSC in front of 15,000 spectators.

The guests, who started again in midfield with Yarloslaw Michailow on loan from Zenit St. Petersburg, initially put Karlsruhe under pressure.

But the hosts recovered quickly, which resulted in a balanced game at a high level in the second division.

After Terodde had hit the goal to make it 0-1, Choi equalized from just a few meters away.

Shortly before, KSC striker Philipp Hofmann had hit the right post from close range (30').

After the break it was Hofmann again who tested Schalke goalkeeper Martin Fraisl with a header (49').

On the other hand, it took until the 68th minute before Dominick Drexler's header, deflected by KSC defender Marco Thiede, only went to the outside of the post.

The Royal Blues were now looking more to the offensive again - and substitute Marvin Pieringer failed with a huge chance at KSC goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck (90 + 1).

But the Karlsruhers still missed chances of victory.

Art shooter scores for St. Pauli

Meanwhile, FC St. Pauli set an example in the battle for promotion with a commanding victory over FC Ingolstadt, who are candidates for relegation.

The Hamburgers moved up to the top of the table with the 3:1 (2:1) in the Audi Sportpark.

It was a convincing reaction to the most recent 0:3 against Hannover 96 and at the same time a successful preparation for the DFB Cup quarter-finals next Tuesday at Bundesliga club Union Berlin.

For the Ingolstadt team, on the other hand, the home defeat is a hard hit in the fight to stay in the class.

The direct return to the third division is getting closer for the bottom of the table.

St. Pauli was superior in front of 5511 spectators and after goals by free-kick artist Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (22nd minute), striker Guido Burgstaller (37th) and Simon Makienok (55th), who also headed the post ( 61.), the deserved winner.

The hosts equalized through attacker Dennis Eckert Ayensa (34th) to make it 1-1.

The Schanzer often played too passively defensively, as they did when they conceded the third goal.

The decisive punch was missing offensively.

There was also bad luck: Captain Michael Heinloth had to leave the field early with a muscle injury (19').

Maximilian Neuberger, who came on for the full-back, injured his foot and also limped off the field (32').

After two wins in a row, 1. FC Nürnberg is back in the running for promotion.

With the 2-0 (1-0) win at FC Hansa Rostock, coach Robert Klauß's team came close to the promotion ranks.

In the coming week, the Franconians have the chance to further improve their situation against Hamburger SV against a direct competitor.

In Rostock, Pascal Köpke (34th) gave the guests the lead in front of 10,000 spectators with his second goal of the season.

Taylan Duman (63rd) made the decision on Saturday.

Both players had already scored the goals in the 2-0 win against Jahn Regensburg a week earlier.

Duman was also instrumental in Köpke's opening goal.

He had failed with a penalty he caused himself to Hansa goalkeeper Markus Kolke.

Köpke reacted the quickest and headed the rebounding ball into the goal.

For Hansa, the home misery continued with the defeat.

The promoted team has only won twice in their own stadium so far.

After the Sunday games, the Mecklenburgers can still slip to the relegation place.