Mainz battled back after going a goal down to clinch a 2-1 win over Kaiserslautern, maintaining their 100 percent record this season.

Croatian striker Srdjan Lakic notched up his fourth goal of the season, flicking in a ball from the edge of the box to give Kaiserslautern the lead after 29 minutes.

But although visitors Kaiserslautern remained dominant, a defensive lapse allowed Niko Bugert to score from close range in the 71st minute. Mainz went ahead just two minutes later when teenage striker Andre Schuerrle's shot took a slight deflection on its way into the side netting.

'Poor start, sloppy passes'

Mainz trainer Thomas Tuchel admitted his team had played poor football for much of the match. "Our passing play was sloppy and we didn't create enough space," he said. "In the end though, our persistence paid off."

The result puts Mainz second in the Bundesliga league table, equal on nine points with leaders Hoffenheim, who beat Schalke 2-0 on Friday.

In Sunday's other fixture Cologne picked up their first win of the season with a 1-0 win over Bundesliga newcomers St. Pauli. Midfielder Taner Yalcin scored from a rebound after Lukas Podolski hit the woodwork from 20 meters (22 yards).

Author: Richard Connor (AFP/Reuters/dpa)
Editor: Mark Hallam