SC Paderborn have boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation by recording a vital 2-1 victory over Augsburg at the Benteler Arena.

It was Augsburg who dominated possession for much of the first half, but Paderborn created the first opportunity when Elias Kachunga forced his way into the box before firing a powerful effort straight at Marwin Hitz.

Operating on the counter-attack appeared to suit the hosts, and they came agonisingly close to the first goal before the break when Marvin Bakalorz rattled the crossbar.

The deadlock was broken three minutes into the second half when Michael Heinloth's excellent delivery into the box was met by Kachunga, who headed past a helpless Hitz.

Augsburg responded impressively to get back on level terms four minutes later when Pierre Hojbjerg followed good work from Raul Bobadilla by drilling home a low shot from the edge of the box.

Paderborn regained the lead with what proved to be the winner on the hour mark as some poor marking from the visiting defence allowed Srdjan Lakic to head in from Florian Hatherz's cross.

An inevitable spell of Augsburg pressure arrived in the closing stages, with Tim Matavz seeing his header cleared off the line before Shawn Parker sent a long-range strike just wide as Paderborn secured the win to move them to within two points of 15th-placed Hannover.