BERLIN -- Nuremberg substitute Sebastian Polter scored in the second minute of injury time to rescue a 2-2 draw against Hannover in the Bundesliga on Sunday, while Stuttgart ended its five-game losing run with a 1-0 win at Hoffenheim.
"It's an important point for us," Nuremberg coach Michael Wiesinger said after his side preserved its eight-game unbeaten run at home. "The equalizer showed our morale again but we have to cut out our mistakes."
Hannover midfielder Szabolcs Huszti opened the scoring against the run of play in the 41st when he cut inside defender Timm Klose before blasting the ball past goalkeeper Raphael Schaefer.
Klose atoned with only his second Nuremberg goal in the 53rd, with a backward header from Hiroshi Kiyotake's perfectly delivered free kick.
Japanese midfielder Mu Kanazaki came on for his Bundesliga debut in the 63rd, but the visitors went ahead five minutes later when Mohammed Abdellaoue crossed for Didier Ya Konan.
Nuremberg kept pushing for the equalizer and Polter deservedly scored when U.S. international Timothy Chandler crossed for him to beat Ron-Robert Zieler from close range.
"We have to defend that better. It's very annoying," said Hannover captain Christian Schulz, whose side was beaten 3-1 by Anzhi Makhachkala in the Europa League on Thursday. "Very annoying."
Martin Harnik's third-minute goal was enough for Stuttgart to climb to 12th and away from the relegation zone, while Hoffenheim is now 10 points adrift in the relegation playoff place.
"That was our worst game today. Such an early goal in our situation cannot be excused," Hoffenheim coach Marco Kurz said.
Harnik sent Ibrahima Traore free on the left and then met the Guinea midfielder's cross with a header in off the underside of the bar.
Traore -- who was outstanding throughout -- and then Vedad Ibisevic went close shortly afterward as the visitors dominated, but Hoffenheim came more into the game as the half progressed and Joselu's effort was deflected narrowly wide in the 38th.
Sven Ulreich pulled off crucial saves to deny the home side an equalizer, most notably in the 64th, when he got the better of Joselu in a one-on-one when the Spaniard should have scored.
"We fought for the win," Stuttgart coach Bruno Labbadia said. "We always said we need to remain calm. The team has always shown it's willing."
