Hannover slumped to a ninth straight Bundesliga defeat at home to Wolfsburg on Sunday afternoon.

Zvjezdan Misimovic struck the winner 12 minutes from time to leave the hosts three points from safety.

Hannover have not won a point since December 5, but wasted a succession of chances to bring that run to an end today.

Elson forced a saved from Wolfsburg keeper Marvin Hitz with a shot from 18 yards and three minutes later met Jiri Stajner's cross from the left but miskicked his attempt wide.

At the other end Edin Dzeko failed to capitalise on a mix-up between defenders Jan Durica and Karim Haggui.

Misimovic then fired in a 37th-minute free-kick from the left which evaded Hannover keeper Florian Fromlowitz and came back off the right post.

The hosts continued to create openings, Elson picking out Sergio Pinto who fired narrowly over the top.

Constant Djakpa sent a shot wide of the right post before Hannover had Fromlowitz to thank for keeping them on terms as he fisted away another Misimovic free-kick.

Djakpa fired another effort off target seven minutes after the break before Wolfsburg striker Grafite saw his goal chalked off for offside after he had converted Dzeko's cross.

Hannover substitute Mike Hanke hesitated in the area when picked out by Arouna Kone's cross, allowing Peter Pekarik to nip in and intercept.

And that moment of indecision proved costly as the Wolves went ahead two minutes later.

Marcel Schafer's cross from the left was flicked on by Grafite to the far post where the unmarked Misimovic scored with his right foot.

Hannover had a great chance to level in the 87th minute when Kone set up Arnold Bruggink, but the substitute's shot from eight yards was straight at Hitz.