Mainz 05 have reached third spot in the Bundesliga with a 2-1 victory over Augsburg at the Coface Arena.
It was a bright start to the game from Mainz as they came close to breaking the deadlock when Jonas Hofmann forced his way into the box before seeing a powerful shot tipped wide by Marwin Hitz.
Hofmann took full advantage of his next opportunity in the 20th minute, as he capitalised on the space offered to him by picking out the bottom corner with an unstoppable strike.
Mainz doubled their lead just three minutes later when Jairo Samperio reacted quickest to a miscued clearance from Paul Verhaegh, before evading two challenges on his way to slotting home from close range.
Augsburg improved in the latter stages of the first half, but it was Mainz who threatened just before the break when Hofmann was once again denied by Hitz.
The visitors were on top for an extended spell after the interval, and a great chance was wasted when Ragnar Klavan headed straight at Loris Karius.
Tobias Werner reduced the deficit with 12 minutes remaining by heading home from Baba Rahman's cross at the near post.
However, the Mainz defence held firm in the closing stages to ensure that they remained unbeaten this term.
Callum Mulvihill
