Hamburg moved five points clear of the bottom three and seven away from automatic relegation from the Bundesliga thanks to a 1-0 win over Hannover.

A 12th minute goal from Heung Min-son was enough to earn Thorsten Fink's side all three points and restore belief after a 4-0 defeat to Hoffenheim in midweek had left them in the thick of a relegation battle.

Hannover, who rallied late on, were unable to find an equaliser and remain only two points ahead of Werder Bremen in the hunt for a place in the Europa League next season.

Hannover have developed a habit of being slow starters recently and this game was no exception.

Hamburg seized the initiative early on and were rewarded with Heung putting them in front in the 12th minute.

The South Korean beat Steven Cherundolo on his way into the penalty area and then shot low into the far corner of Ron-Robert Zieler's goal.

But Zieler was not going to be beaten two minutes later when he blocked Marcell Jansen's shot with his shoulder.

The Hannover goalkeeper had a busy first half as he kept his side in the game, tipping Heiko Westermann's header over the crossbar in the 36th minute.

Mirko Slomka must have found the right words in the dressing room at half-time as the Reds emerged with a more attacking approach.

Christian Pander only just missed the target with one of his trademark direct free-kicks in the 57th minute.

Jaroslav Drobny denied Emanuel Pogatetz in the 70th minute as Hamburg held on to only their third home win of the season, and one which keeps them on track for safety.