Dortmund slides further in to the mire after defeat

Borussia Dortmund's struggles continued in the Bundesliga on Sunday when they lost 2-1 away to lowly Hansa Rostock.

Three days after exiting the UEFA Cup with a 4-0 thrashing by French side Sochaux, the 1997 European champions suffered another blow to fall 11 points behind league leaders VfB Stuttgart.

The Ruhr Valley club, who remain fifth, were the only side in the top six of the championship to lose this weekend.

Striker Martin Max scored both goals for Rostock, who have now gone four matches without defeat and climb to 13th, opening the scoring on 54 minutes before hitting the winner with three minutes left.

Brazilian striker Ewerthon had equalized in the 66th minute for Dortmund, who have been heavily hit by injuries.

Hertha Berlin dropped to second from bottom after a 3-1 home defeat by Schalke 04 in Sunday's other game.

The capital club, who had started the season with hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, scored first through midfielder Denis Lapaczinski in the 37th minute.

But Schalke, who gained a measure of consolation after being knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Danish side Brondby on Thursday, stepped up a gear after the break.

Goals from Niels Oude Kamphuis, Tomasz Waldoch and Gerald Asamoah helped the Gelsenkirchen climb two spots to 11th.