Schalke gave it a right good go in the second half but Pauli clung on. The home side were very impressive for much of this game and looked like a side on course for promotion. This victory came thanks to two great finishes from ex-Schalke striker Guido Burgstaller, who is now the league's leading scorer with 14 goals for the season. Zalazar's late strike - also against his former club - proved just a consolation for the Royal Blues, who stay seventh.

Ouwejan thought he had levelled for the Royal Blues with a shot that took a wicked deflection over the keeper. But the goal is ruled out because Marvin Pieringer had strayed offside earlier in the move.

Zalazar gets a shot on target but Pauli continue to look the more likely side to score another goal.

The rain has arrived in a big way and perhaps that explains a mistake from Pauli centre-back James Lawrence just seconds after the restart. He misses his control and suddenly Mehmet Can Aydin is into the box. Nikola Vasilj makes a good stop to preserve Pauli's advantage.

It's a thoroughly deserved lead for Pauli at the break, although Schalke had one big chance in between the two goals. Inevitably it was the talismanic Burgstaller who produced the goods - he now has 14 goals in Bundesliga 2 this season.

The crowd are roaring on the home side already as they win an early free-kick. Schalke manage to clear and Kyereh gets the first yellow of the game for making sure the visitors don't break quickly.

Schalke are also missing head coach Dimitrios Grammozis this evening, with assistant Sven Piepenbrock set to deputise. "The lads have been very focused in training," he said ahead of the game. "They worked really hard and showed just how much they want to deliver another good performance like they did during the 5-2 win over Sandhausen."

Loïc Favé is standing in for Pauli head coach Timo Schulz this evening, and he is hoping his side can make it eight wins from eight at home. He is expecting the visitors to provide a serious test, however. "They're a team with lots of power and athleticism. They're very dangerous, especially from set pieces, and in Thomas Ouwejan they have one of the best takers of a set piece in the league."

Schalke: Fraisl – Thiaw, Itakura, Kaminski – Aydin, Zalazar, Palsson (c), Drexler, Ouwejan – Dadashov, Pieringer Subs: Wienand, Calhanoglu, Idrizi, Kaparos, Latza, Matriciani, Ranftl, Topp, Wouters

Pauli: Vasilj – Zander, Ziereis, Lawrence, Paqarada – Irvine, Smith, Hartel – Kyerah – Burgstaller, Matanovic Subs: Smarsch, Ohlsson, Buchtmann, Dittgen, Makienok, Medic, Becker, Benatelli, Amenyido

A huge match awaits in Hamburg tonight! St. Pauli have the chance to go six points clear at the top with a victory. Schalke could draw level on points with second-placed Darmstadt - and draw to within three points of the hosts - if they manage to come out on top.