Kleindienst strike delivers parity between Heidenheim and Mainz

The hosts started brightly with Jan-Niklas Beste at the heart of things. The best opportunity in the opening exchanges was constructed by Kevin Sessa who enabled Dinkçi to shoot from range which Zentner punched clear. At the other end Jae-Sung Lee glanced wide with his header. 

Mainz, despite their depleted numbers through injury and suspensions, forged a lead in the 37th minute. It was a technically exquisite finish from Jonathan Burkardt, who cushioned the ball past Kevin Müller with an instep volley. Anthony Caci's delivery from the left flank was on the money. 

There was little to seperate the teams after the interval. In fact, the game appeared to dip into a lull of sorts as neither side managed to create much in the attacking third. This ultimately changed in the 65th minute as Tim Kleindienst powered home from close range, timing his jump perfectly to match Omar Traoré's inch perfect cross. 

Substitutes rolled on for both clubs as the affair entered the closing stages. Nelson Weiper, making only his fourth Bundesliga appearance after a lengthy injury, looked threatening at times. Heidenheim's hero last weekend Nikola Dovedan also featured. Burkardt's deflected effort almost caught Müller out at the death but the experienced shot-stopper gathered well. Meanwhile, Denis Thomalla was denied by the crossbar in injury time - Perhaps reflective of a tight contest overall.