Goalie Rafal Gikiewicz scored in stunning fashion to snatch a point for 1. FC Union Berlin against 1. FC Heidenheim at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on Sunday.

The Polish number one joined the dramatic efforts to avoid a first defeat of the season and he held his nerve at the back-post to head home a knock down from Sebastian Andersson, four minutes into stoppage time. Robert Glatzel scored with a header from close range after 56 minutes to give Frank Schmidt’s side a second half lead.

1. FC Union Berlin: Gikiewicz; Trimmel, Hübner, Friedrich, Reichel; Schmiedebach (Hedlund 65), Prömel, Zulj; Hartel (Polter 65), Andersson, Gogia (Redondo 81)

1. FC Heidenheim: Müller; Busch, Beermann, Mainka, Theuerkauf; Griesbeck, Dorsch (Wittek 87), Andrich (Thiel 70), Schnatterer (Strauß 84); Dovedan, Glatzel

Attendance: 20,108

After sitting on the bench for the win over FC Ingolstadt, Robert Zulj returned to the side to play off our top scorer Sebastian Andersson, who was called up for the Swedish national team this week. Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim had proven stuffy opposition for Union Berlin previous occasions at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei — against no other side in the 2.Bundesliga had Union waited longest to enjoy victory over. But Fischer’s men started brightly and Zulj was involved in two excellent attacks in the ninth and 11^th minute. The attacking-midfielder’s shot firstly almost nestled in the top corner before Andersson collected his lay-off and struck against the woodwork — although the assistant referee had raised his flag for offside against the striker. Both teams were fully committed in physical duels across the park with a handful of players requiring treatment. Heidenheim’s Robert Andrich took a knock early on before Grischa Prömel was strapped up following a head knock midway through the half.

The home side asked some early questions of the Heidenheim defence who were largely untested to this point. An aggressive press saw Union win the ball back, with Zulj laying off to Marcel Hartel but the Germany U21 international blazed his finish over the crossbar from a good position. Schmidt’s side posed a threat from crosses and set-pieces and on 56 minutes, Glatzel was sharp to head home a cross from Niklas Dorsch. Fischer looked to his bench after the hour with Sebastian Polter and Simon Hedlund replacing Hartel and Manuel Schmiedebach.

Heidenheim remained defensively strong despite the four-pronged Union attack in the closing stages. A defeat seemed certain until the Köpenick club found an extra gear for the five minutes of stoppage time. Gikiewicz was bold and confident enough to join the attacking threat and he showed impressive composure at the far post to head in the equaliser from a free kick.

The Berliners go into the international break unbeaten in the league with 17 points and will return to league proceedings against SC Paderborn at the Benteler-Arena on Sunday October 21 at 13:30. Tickets are available here.