Heynckes is a hero having won the title four times with Gladbach in the 1970s - the club's golden era - but the fans are growing restless after a poor start to the campaign.

Hanno Balitsch scored in the 50th minute to condemn Gladbach to a painful home defeat and the club languish fifth from bottom.

Hanover surge out of the bottom three with the victory and are level on points with Gladbach.

In Sunday's other game Arminia Bielefeld and VfL Wolfsburg shared the spoils in a 0-0 draw. Unfashionable Bielefeld stay sixth just three points behind reigning champions Bayern Munich.