Mkhitaryan sinks Hanover as Dortmund keep up the chase

Football Soccer - Borussia Dortmund v Hanover 96 - German Bundesliga - Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, 13/02/16 Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus celebrates goal of Henrikh Mkhitaryan against Hannover 96 REUTERS/Ina Fassbender

BERLIN (Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund kept up the chase on Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich when a moment of inspiration from Henrikh Mkhitaryan secured a 1-0 with over stubborn Hanover 96 on Saturday.

At the other end of the table, Julian Nagelsmann, at 28 the Bundesliga's youngest-ever coach, made his debut on the Hoffenheim bench and watched his side draw 1-1 at Werder Bremen in a crunch relegation battle.

Bayer Leverkusen moved into third when they came from behind to beat Darmstadt 2-1 and Hertha Berlin lost 2-0 at Stuttgart.

Second-placed Dortmund are five points behind champions Bayern, who visit Augsburg on Sunday. Leverkusen are a further 13 points behind in third, ahead of Hertha on goal difference.

(Writing by Brian Homewood, editing by Ed Osmond)