Didier Ya Konan's goal gave Hannover a 1-0 victory at home to Stuttgart and heaped further pressure on Markus Babbel.
The Ivory Coast international scored the winner after 30 minutes to inflict a fifth defeat in six games on Stuttgart.
The win moved Andreas Bergmann's men, who had not beaten Stuttgart at home since the 1988/89 season, up to 11th place, four points clear of the bottom three.
Stuttgart, though, and now 14th and only separated from the drop zon! e only by goal difference.
Stuttgart's first chance came after 22 minutes when Thomas Hitzlsperger headed a free kick on to Serdar Tasci, whose header was blocked away by Hanover keeper Florian Fromlowitz.
The hosts took advantage of their first opportunity after 30 minutes. Arnold Jan Bruggink beat two Stuttgart defenders and crossed over Ya Konan, who shot home from three yards.
Fromlowitz misjudged a long ball from Arthur Boka in the 37th minute but produced a fine reflex against Julian Schieber to keep his side in front.
The visitors had three chances to score in the 59th minute. Schieber's shot was blocked by a defender before his second attempt was tipped over the crossbar by Fromlowitz. The Hannover keeper then fended Elson's 14-yard shot away via the right post to continue to frustrate Stuttgart.
Babbel's side were again denied by the frame of the goal 16 minutes from time as Hitzlsperger's deep free-kick from the right came back o! ff the far left post.
Seconds later Ciprian Marica thou! ght he h ad scored only to see the effort ruled out for off-side.
And Fromlowitz sealed the victory for Hannover with another save in the final minute, holding on to Matthieu Delpierre's effort from the left.
