Bundesliga: Hoffenheim 1 Mainz 1

A Mohamed Zidan equaliser denied Hoffenheim coach Marcus Babbel a debut home win as Mainz earned a 1-1 draw at Rhein-Neckar Arena.

Mainz defender Nikolce Noveski scored an own goal to give the hosts the lead after nine minutes, but Egypt international Zidan struck in the 29th minute to earn a share of the spoils for his side.

Noveski deflected the ball into his own net from a Boris Vukcevic cross, before Srdjan Lakic shot wide from a tight angle when presented with an opportunity to extend the advantage.

Zidan, who returned for a second stint with Mainz in the January transfer window after four years at Borussia Dortmund, brought his side level when he met a Radoslav Zabavnik cross to score from close range.

Hoffenheim looked the more likely side to add to their tally in the second half, with former Liverpool man Ryan Babbel among those coming close to snaring the winner.

A third consecutive 1-1 draw sees Mainz move six points clear of the relegation zone in to 12th place, while Hoffenheim climb one spot to tenth.