Borussia Dortmund loan watch: Tom Rothe scores decisive goal for Holstein Kiel in 2. Bundesliga promotion race

Holstein Kiel took a huge step towards promotion to the Bundesliga on Saturday evening, with Borussia Dortmund loanee Tom Rothe netting the match-winning goal.

A hotly-contested 2. Bundesliga season is nearing its conclusion with four teams still in the hunt for promotion to the top division. League leaders Holstein Kiel went up against fourth placed Hamburger SV in a crunch clash on Saturday evening. And it was Holstein Kiel who came out on top and boosted their hopes to clinch automatic promotion.

Tom Rothe came up with the match-winning goal for Kiel to hand them their sixth-straight win. The Borussia Dortmund loanee was subbed on in the 24th minute and found the back of the net at the hour mark. After HSV failed to deal with a corner, Lewis Holtby launched a shot at goal. The shot fell to Rothe at the far post, and the 19 year old did brilliantly to find the top corner with a first-time finish.

Holtby was then sent off in the 73rd minute, but Holstein Kiel held on to claim the precious three points. The win helped Kiel stay six points clear of Fortuna Düsseldorf in the promotion/relegation play-off spot, with four more games left to play this season. Hamburger SV, meanwhile, are in danger of another near miss in their bid to clinch promotion. Steffen Baumgart's side remain fourth, six points behind Fortuna Düsseldorf.

Tom Rothe has enjoyed an excellent season on loan at Holstein Kiel, and has three goals and seven assists to his name in 29 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga. The plan is for him to return to Borussia Dortmund and be a part of the first-team squad next season.