Dusseldorf edges Hertha to return to Bundesliga

May 15, 2012 - 10:59 PM Dusseldorf, Germany (Sports Network) - Fortuna Dusseldorf tied Hertha Berlin, 2-2, in a wild relegation match Tuesday to secure promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in 15 years on aggregate, 4-3.

Dusseldorf won the first game, 2-1, in Berlin and survived a wild finish that included a long amount of added time because of flares set off during the game and a premature celebration by fans that caused a 20-minute delay.

Maximilian Beister scored in the opening minute of the fixture for Dusseldorf, but Hertha was level before half through Anis Ben-Hatira.

Ben-Hatira was sent off in the second half for a second yellow card, however, and Ranisav Jovanovic fired Dusseldorf in front just before the hour. Raffael pulled a goal back in the 86th to tie the match, but Hertha couldn't survive.

Just promoted to the Bundesliga this season, Hertha drops back to the second flight with Cologne and Kaiserslautern. Dusseldorf joins Bundesliga 2 winner Greuther Fuerth and Eintracht Frankfurt in the top flight.