Nurnberg sent Kaiserslautern a step closer to relegation and gave themselves a comfortable cushion over the Bundesliga's bottom three with a 2-0 victory at the Betzenberg.

Daniel Didavi and Tomas Pekhart scored for the Bavarians, who opened up a nine-point advantage over 16th-placed Cologne with three games of the season remaining, although Cologne still have one game in hand.

Nurnberg cannot be automatically relegated, though, as they are 10 points clear of Hertha Berlin while the Red Devils' relegation can be sealed on Sunday if Cologne pick up at least a point against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Kaiserslautern coach Krassimir Balakov called on his team to play for pride in search of their first win in 21 games, but Nurnberg left them little room to express themselves.

The Bavarians, needing a win to practically secure their place in the top flight next term, carried on from where they left off with a 4-1 win over Schalke in midweek.

Timothy Chandler hit the crossbar in the fifth minute as they took the initiative.

Mike Frantz wasted their next chance in the 12th minute before Pekhart shot over from outside the penalty area.

The hosts started to respond, but just when they were beginning to look dangerous, Nurnberg took the lead before the break.

Didavi, who was inspirational in midweek, exchanged passes with Frantz before shooting unstoppably past Tobias Sippel from 20 yards out.

Didavi then set up Pekhart for the second goal in the 73rd minute.

He raced past tired looking Kaiserslautern defenders before sending in a cross from near the goal line to Pekhart, who nodded in unmarked to condemn Kaiserslautern to defeat and almost to relegation.