Dortmund had scored exactly three goals in each of their last four Bundesliga outings, yet they struggled to create much in the opening 20 minutes here. In fact, their only effort on goal came courtesy of Serhou Guirassy, whose powerful strike when cutting inside was thwarted by Diant Ramaj.
Midway through the half, Heidenheim thought they had taken a surprise lead soon when Patrick Mainka bundled the ball in, but he was adjudged to have fouled Gregor Kobel while the Swiss came to catch the cross.
Kobel was the home side’s hero in the 26th minute, clutching Eren Dinkci’s rebound attempt when a goal seemed certain. Die Schwarzgelben were soon back on top, as Nico Schlotterbeck was wasteful at a corner and Guirassy’s chip was denied by the crossbar.
The hosts finally broke through when Ramaj failed to claim a corner, dropping the ball at the feet of Waldermar Anton, who powered it home.
However, the lead was cancelled out on the stroke of half-time when Mathias Honsak burst down the left and crossed to Julian Niehues for the midfielder to find the back of the net at the second attempt.
FCH came out for the second half with renewed belief and a fresh face as Frank Schmidt brought on Arijon Ibrahimovic, and that switch was vindicated within three minutes.
The winger slalomed his way through the home defence on the wing before pulling the ball back for Niehues to drill past Kobel from 25 yards.
It was just the second time Heidenheim had scored more than once on the road this season, and they should have had a third before the hour mark as Marvin Pieringer blazed a free header over from four yards out.
Dortmund looked to have wasted a chance to equalise in the 65th minute when Guirassy’s fierce turn and hit was parried by Ramaj, only for VAR to have spotted a handball by Niklas Dorsch two minutes earlier.
Referee Matthias Jollenbeck awarded a penalty, and Guirassy just about beat Ramaj, who got a hand to the spot-kick. Moments later, the turnaround was complete when Maximilian Beier used his pace down the left and fed Guirassy, with the Guinea international firing past Ramaj once more.
The striker had the perfect chance to complete a hat-trick in the final 10 minutes when he was upended by Tim Siersleben, only to send his second penalty over the bar. Three goals were enough for BVB, though, and they are now unbeaten in their last 12 league games as they continue their hunt for the Meisterschale.
Heidenheim, meanwhile, are still waiting for a head-to-head win and are five points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)
