The win keeps leaders Bayern Munich three points ahead of Bundesliga rivals Schalke 04 who host Hannover on Sunday.

Deisler, who has been frustrated at playing a peripheral role in the team and was advised by Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer earlier in the week to seek out a loan move if he was unhappy, was making his first appearance since the winter break.

And he saved the lethargic Bavarian giants who had got off to a slow start against a side sixteen places below them in the table.

Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn twice came to the rescue of the home side before the 25-year-old Deisler drilled in a cross shot in the 52nd minute for his second goal of the campaign.

Bayern Munich now have 47 points from 23 games, three ahead of Schalke 04, with reigning champions Werder Bremen a further point behind.

Bremen put their humiliating 3-0 Champions League loss to Lyon midweek behind them by scoring their fifth straight Bundesliga win by hammering relegation-threatened VfL Bochum 4-0.

Hertha Berlin provisionally moved into fourth position with 39 points after a crucial 4-1 win over seventh-placed SV Hamburg at the Olympic Stadium in the German captial.

Also with an eye on Europe, fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen host VfB Stuttgart, one place below, on Sunday in a real grudge match that dates back to the final day of last season.

Then Leverkusen defeated Stuttgart 2-0 at the BayArena to steal the final Champions League spot and both teams are fighting it out for the same prize this season.