Kainz composed as Köln secure precious injury-time point in Mainz

Die Null-Fünfers looked set to further alay relegation fears, but a late injury-time penalty from Florian Kainz salvaged a point for FC Köln in a 1-1 draw.

Still hurting from their defeat to Darmstadt last weekend, FC Köln fell under early Mainz pressure as Jonathan Burkardt and Nadiem Amiri looked to create havoc. The opening goal came just before the half-hour, as Mainz countered from a failed Köln set-piece. Amiri fed Onisiwo who brought the best out of Schwäbe, but the Köln shot-stopper could do little to prevent Leandro Barreiro from tapping home.

Brajan Gruda and Burkardt came close to combining for a second moments later. The latter controlled beautifully but his effort sailed over the crossbar. Aside from a couple of corners that were easily dealt with by Zentner and the Mainz rearguard, Köln were limited to the bare minimum in a one-sided half of action.

Inside a minute of the restart, Die Geissböcke received a lifeline. Anthony Caci’s brash challenge on Faride Alidou resulted in a stonewall penalty. A pressured situation increases tenfold when you’re battling the drop and Luca Waldschmidt paid the price. The German’s spot kick off target despite Zentner diving the wrong way.

Koln sought parity as the game entered it’s frantic closing stages. Twice they came agonisingly close but Robin Zentner stood firm. Benno Schmitz effort at the back post repelled, while Zentner pulled off his best Manuel Neuer impression with a point-blank save to deny Mark Uth. But the Mainz goalkeeper heroics fizzled out in an instant when he collided with Adam Adamyan. Florian Kainz salvaging a vital point from the penalty spot late in injury time. Philipp Mwene’s late red card leaving additional bitter tastes in Mainz fan’s mouths.