The Borussia Dortmund U23s kept up the pressure on reigning champions and current Regionalliga West table-toppers Viktoria Köln, whom they trail by one point, after beating TV Herkenrath 3-1 (1-0) to claim a fifth consecutive league victory. Jan Siewert's team still have a game in hand on the league leaders. Marco Rente, Massimo Ornatelli and substitute Gianluca Rizzo scored the goals on Matchday 10.

Timo Lammert reporting

After a tentative start, the Black & Yellows took the initiative and had chances to open the scoring through Massimo Ornatelli and Joseph Boyamba. The hosts, meanwhile, delivered a strong display and had the best chance of the first period when Lars Lokotsch shot narrowly over the bar of Eric Oelschlägel's goal in the 13th minute.

BVB's first dangerous opportunity came midway through the first half, Joseph Boyamba rounding the opposition goalkeeper only to fire the ball narrowly wide of the target. It was in this period that BVB stepped up the pressure and pace, winning a corner-kick in the 29th minute of the match that led to the opener. It was taken short and returned to Massimo Ornatelli, who whipped the ball towards goal and when the goalkeeper failed to hold onto it, Marco Rente was left with a tap-in at the back post to fire the visitors into a deserved lead. The Black & Yellows had the game under control and went in at half-time with a narrow advantage.

TV Herkenrath made the brighter start to the second period and, with BVB's control over the game slipping away, Jan Siewert reacted by bringing on Gianluca Rizzo in the 56th minute. Barely five minutes had elapsed when a misunderstanding among the Dortmund defence allowed the home side to level the score, Lars Lokotsch taking advantage of the loss of possession to make it 1-1.

But the Dortmund youngsters remained unperturbed and re-established their lead in the 65th minute when Massimo Ornatelli converted from the spot after Herbert Bockhorn had been fouled. Herkenrath offered little resistance in the period that followed, allowing BVB to wrap up the victory shortly before the final whistle thanks to a 90th-minute strike from substitute Gianluca Rizzo, whose goal sealed yet another win for the U23s in the Regionalliga West.

The Black & Yellows, who have picked up five victories and a draw over the course of September, now find themselves in second place with the best attack (21 goals scored) and the best defence (nine goals conceded) in the division. And they still have their game in hand against SG Wattenscheid.

The next competitive match for Jan Siewert's charges takes place on 13 October, when they travel to SV Lippstadt. There will, however, be a friendly this coming Wednesday at 12:30 CET, with Oberliga side Holzwickeder SC the opponents. That fixture will be played at the Montanhydraulikstadion.