Fortuna Dusseldorf recorded a 2-1 win at Hertha Berlin in the first leg of their Bundesliga promotion play-off on Thursday (local time).
The come-from-behind victory at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin came thanks to a Thomas Broeker strike and an Adrian Ramos own goal.
Norbert Meier's men are on the verge of returning to the top flight for the first time since the 1996/97 season ahead of Tuesday's return leg at home.
Hertha Berlin, who finished 16th in the Bundesliga, made a strong start, and took a 19th-minute lead when Roman Hubnik netted from an Anis Ben-Hatira corner.
The hosts had the better of the few chances but were unable to double their advantage, and they were made to pay in the 64th minute.
Broeker struck with a fine individual effort, beating three Hertha defenders before striking past Thomas Kraft.
They went ahead just seven minutes later, with Ramos unlucky to divert a Ken Ilso free-kick into his own net.
Hertha, who were relegated from the Bundesliga in 2009/10, face a big challenge if they are to avoid the same fate in their first year back in the top flight.