Stuttgart held by Nurnberg

Stuttgart were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Nurnberg as their Europa League exertions perhaps caught up with them.

Stuttgart were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Nurnberg as their Europa League exertions perhaps caught up with them. Ibrahima Traore gave Stuttgart the lead six minutes into the second half but they failed to hold on with Markus Feulner grabbing the equaliser after 77 minutes. The result helps both sides move further away from the relegation zone, but it was clearly Nurnberg who were happier at the final whistle. Stuttgart had the first chance after 22 minutes but Raphael Holzhauser's shot found only the side netting. The hosts went close again 13 minutes later but Martin Harnik failed to beat Nurnberg goalkeeper Raphael Schafer with a looping attempt. Stuttgart grabbed the lead six minutes after the break as Harnik's shot was stopped by Schafer but fell straight to Traore and the Guinea international blasted the loose ball into the empty goal. The hosts nearly doubled the advantage in the 55th minute but Vedad Ibisevic's volley went just over the bar from 10 yards. Nuremberg finally found their way into the match and had a chance in the 62nd minute but Sebastian Polter's shot landed on the upper netting. But the visitors kept pushing and equalised with 13 minutes to play as Timothy Chandler passed into the path of Feulner, who blasted it beyond the reach of Stuttgart goalkeeper Sven Ulreich and inside the left-hand post. Stuttgart had one final opportunity in the 86th minute but William Kvist's rasping effort from 30 yards went just over the bar.