Schalke 04 1 - 0 Hertha Berlin

Schalke 1-0 Hertha Berlin: Schalke unbeaten

Updated: September 28, 2007, 9:36 PM UK

GELSENKIRCHEN, September 28 (Bundesliga) - Schalke continued their unbeaten start to the Bundesliga season with a hard-fought victory over Hertha Berlin at the Veltins Arena on Friday night.

Rafinha`s first-half penalty was enough for Schalke to move up to second place behind Bayern Munich with their third win in a week following the triumphs over Arminia Bielefeld and Duisburg. It was also their third successive clean sheet.

Hertha have now lost four of their eight matches, but remain fifth in the standings.

Zlatan Bajramovic had the opening chance of the evening for Schalke but his shot from outside the box was comfortably saved by Jaroslav Drobny.

Hertha`s first attempt saw Andreas Schmidt shoot wide from outside the box and Marko Pantelic then saw his right-foot free-kick from 20 yards held by Manuel Neuer in the hosts` goal.

Schalke took the lead two minutes before the break when Neuer launched a long throw to substitute Peter Lovenkrands on the right wing.

The former Rangers forward found Jermaine Jones who burst through the centre and moved into the box where he was scythed down by a rash sliding tackle from Steve von Bergen, giving the referee no option but to point to the spot and show the defender a yellow card.

Rafinha stepped up confidently to send Drobny the wrong way and put Schalke ahead.

Malik Fathi headed over for Hertha from Gilberto`s cross early in the second half before Lovenkrands had a shot saved at the other end.

Marcelo had a header saved as Schalke attempted to double the advantage before Jones and Kuranyi each dragged a shot wide.

Hertha substitute Solomon Okoronkwo shot off target as Hertha failed once more to test Neuer.

Fellow replacement Andre Lima also tried his luck, but the visitors could not breach the stubborn Schalke defence as the hosts held on for their fourth win of the campaign.