Mainz have maintained their push for a European place thanks to a decisive brace from Nicolai Muller against Stuttgart.

Both sides struggled to break the deadlock in a tight first 45 minutes and headed into the break goalless.

Stuttgart sprang into life after the break and were gifted the advantage five minutes after the interval when Heinz Muller turned into his own net.

Mainz rallied and were quickly level when Muller lobbed Sven Ulreich to make the match all square.

Both sides pushed for a winner but it was the home side who claimed all three points 20 minutes from time when Muller bundled home his second from close range.

Stuttgart threw on Daniel Didavi in the closing stages but could not find an response, and stay in mid-table heading into the winter break.

Elkin Soto added some gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time with a neat finish to keep Mainz firmly in contention in the top half of the table.