Striker Nils Petersen has scored two goals in the last five minutes to clinch a 2-0 win for Werder Bremen against Hannover.

Petersen struck twice in four minutes to hand Bremen their first win in five Bundesliga matches and takes them within one point of Hannover on the league table.

Despite completely dominating Friday’s game at the Weserstadion, Bremen looked on track to miss out on victory with Hannover’s Rob-Robert Zieler putting in a fantastic shift in goal for the visitors.

Bremen had 22 shots on target before Petersen got on the end of Eljero Elia’s cross in the 85th minute to give the home side the lead.

Elia seemed hemmed in on the right wing by at least three Hannover defenders but twisted away from his opponents, burst into the penalty area and cut the ball back from the by-line to Petersen, who struck his close-range shot inside the near post.

With Hannover still reeling after finally conceding, Petersen then secured the three points with a stunning volley in the 88th minute.

Elia released Ozkan Yildirim down the left, who crossed towards the top of the box and Petersen leapt from the ground as he sprinted into the penalty area to volley the ball in off the post past Zieler.

Bremen have moved above Stuttgart into 11th spot on 25 points, while Hannover remain in 10th spot on 26 after their third defeat in four Bundesliga fixtures.