Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn spared Bayern Munich an embarrassing German Cup exit by making two saves in the penalty shootout to give the holders victory over second division Nuremberg in a second round tie on Tuesday.

Dutch striker Roy Makaay cancelled out an early goal from visiting Nuremberg's Robert Vittek in a dull game that ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time.

Germany playmaker Michael Ballack symbolised a nervous performance by the German champions when he missed with the goal at his mercy from five metres in extra time before seeing his penalty saved in the shootout, which Bayern eventually won 7-6.

"We were a bit lucky to win," said Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. "Nuremberg played extremely well and gave us a lot of problems."

Hertha Berlin coach Huub Stevens saved his job when his troubled team beat Bundesliga rivals Hansa Rostock on penalties after a tight game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and 2-2 after extra time.

Stevens had to wait until the final minute of extra time to see substitute Nando Rafael equalise and force a shootout that Hertha won 4-3.

AVOID SACK

The capital club had beaten Rostock 1-0 in the Bundesliga on Saturday in the first of two games away to the same opponents that the Hertha coach was told he had to win to avoid being sacked.

"I want to thank the players for their support, which I had expected," said Stevens. "The last two weeks were not easy for me and will leave traces."

Two goals in extra time from French playmaker Johan Micoud and Greek striker Angelos Charisteas gave Werder Bremen a 3-1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg in Tuesday's other all-Bundesliga clash.

VfB Stuttgart struggled to beat second division Wacker Burghausen 1-0, substitute striker Imre Szabics hitting the winner with a deflected effort from the edge of the box 10 minutes into the second half.

"We made life difficult for ourselves but we won," said Stuttgart coach Felix Magath. "Whether we deserved to win can be discussed."

Cologne were also made to work hard for their 3-2 win over VfL Wolfsburg's amateur team, who play in the equivalent of the fourth division.

The tie was heading for extra time when striker Marius Ebbers gave the Bundesliga side victory with a minute remaining.

There are 10 games on Wednesday, with Borussia Moenchengladbach entertaining Borussia Dortmund in the highlight match.

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