Mainz rescue a point at home in 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim

Mainz rescued a point in a 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim on Friday as they still wait for a first Bundesliga home win this season.

The guests took the lead in the ninth minute thanks to Andreas Hanche-Olsen's own goal.

Wouter Burger swung in a cross from the Mainz half aiming for Fisnik Asllani. Hanche-Olsen nudged the Hoffenheim striker away from the ball but ended up heading it into his own net.

Mainz, however, found the equalizer with their first effort on target in the 76th.

The ball was loose inside the Hoffenheim box after a corner and Benedict Hollerbach tried to finish. His shot didn't find its way to the goal, but the ball landed at the feet of substitute Danny da Costa, who fired it home from close range.

But things didn't get any easier for Mainz as Dominik Kohr was sent off in the 88th for an ugly late challenge on Max Moerstedt.

They were still able to create a few dangerous chances in stoppage time, while Hoffenheim had Ihlas Bebou on target but his goal was ruled out due to a handball in the build-up.

"In the end, we could have won, but it was a fair result due to our first half. We can build on our second half," Mainz midfielder Nadiem Amiri told broadcaster Sky.

Ahead of the weekend matches, Hoffenheim remain sixth, one point from the Champions League spots, while Mainz stay in the relegation zone in 17th, one point from safety.

Mainz have only won one Bundesliga game so far this season, against Augsburg in September.