Second division side Greuther Fuerth showed a dedicated performance but failed to utilize their chances against Hamburg following a goalless draw in the first leg of the Bundesliga relegation play-offs on Thursday.

Hamburg has just one game left to avoid their first ever relegation into the second division, while Fuerth need a win at the second leg to wrap up the last place in the 2014/2015 Bundesliga.

In a fast paced encounter the visitors dominated the game for most of the time against hapless Hamburg. The hosts turned up at the second half but were unable to score a goal on home soil.

Fuerth's fast breaks posed a threat for Hamburg's defence yet they failed to overcome goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny. Only Fuerth's Illir Azemi came close twice while Hakan Calhanoglu unleashed two long-range efforts for the hosts in the first half.

With the result Fuerth will need a win where Hamburg would ensure topflight with a draw at the second leg on Sunday.

"We had staged a good performance and had scoring opportunities. With that said we have to exploit our chances next time," Fuerth's coach Frank Kramer said.

"We needed too long to establish our rhythm. We have to recover and to analyse todays game to be prepared for Sunday," Hamburg's coach Mirko Slomka said. Endite

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