BERLIN (Reuters):

SCHALKE 04 held on to their one-point lead with two games to play in the Bundesliga thanks to a 1-0 win at home to Nuremberg yesterday, as VfB Stuttgart kept up the heat with a 2-0 win over Mainz.

Bayern Munich's hopes of playing in the Champions League were effectively ended when they were held to a 1-1 draw at relegated Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Schalke, chasing their first title in the Bundesliga era, finally broke down the Nuremberg defence in the 64th minute when Kevin Kuranyi headed in from a Hami cross.

Their nervy win was enough to keep them ahead of Stuttgart, who completed a more comfortable victory at home to Mainz thanks to goals from Fernando Meira and Roberto Hilbert.

With 32 of 34 matches played, Schalke lead with 65 points, followed by Stuttgart on 64. Werder Bremen, third on 60, will need to win at Hertha Berlin today to stay in with a realistic chance of the title.