Mainz hold Nurnberg goalless

Mainz held Nurnberg to a goalless draw to stay two points clear of their opponents in the race for UEFA Europa League qualification.

The visitors had the better of the chances with Elkin Soto and Sami Allagui going close either side of half-time, while Mehmet Ekici hit the post for Nurnberg, but neither side could make the breakthrough. The draw kept Mainz in fifth place with three games of the season remaining.

Nurnberg had the first chance of the game after 20 minutes as Ekici's 25-yard free-kick glanced off the outside of the near left post.

Mainz almost went ahead in the 35th minute following a counter-attack after Philipp Wollscheid lost possession. Andre Schurrle fed Soto, whose left-footed shot went just wide of the far post. Allagui then fired into the side-netting following a throw-in from Christian Fuchs after 52 minutes.

Schurrle dummied two defenders to create space for a shot, but fired it wide from 12 yards with 20 minutes remaining. And, Andreas Ivanschitz's free-kick went just over the bar as the visitors continued to look dangerous.

They had a scare in stoppage time, though, when goalkeeper Christian Wetklo appeared to handle the ball outside the area, but the referee waved away Nurnberg's claims for a free-kick