Stuttgart's survival hopes were boosted despite remaining bottom of the Bundesliga table following a comfortable 2-0 victory over Mainz 05.
Daniel Didavi had the first chance of the match, but his effort sailed over following Filip Kostic's cross.
The home side continued to threaten and Didavi twice came close, firstly forcing a save out of Loris Karius before another strike rattled the post.
After the break, Stuttgart's pressure eventually told and it was Didavi who gave them the lead, with his long-range effort finding the net despite Karius getting a hand on the ball.
Kostic doubled the home side's advantage after he latched onto the loose ball following clever play down the wing by Martin Harnik.
The win leaves Stuttgart 18th in the table, but just a point behind Freiburg, Hannover and SC Paderborn.
Michael Hincks
