Promoted Paderborn were denied a dream start to life in the Bundesliga when Mainz salvaged a 2-2 draw with a stoppage-time penalty.
Despite a squad budget of around €5m, minnows Paderborn refused to buckle, rewarding their 14,000 fans with their first point in their maiden top-flight appearance.
Shinji Okazaki fired Mainz into the lead from a free-kick. But, the North Rhine-Westphalian club kept their cool and earned an equaliser with Elias Kachunga’s powerful drive from 17 metres.
Uwe Huenemeier’s header three minutes from time from a Marvin Bakalorz cross triggered wild celebrations as the hosts thought they had sealed a memorable first win.
But Mainz kept at it, Okazaki rattling the post with a header in the last minute of regular time as they dug deep to avoid a season-opening defeat.
They were awarded a penalty in stoppage time after Huenemeier went from hero to villain in just a few minutes, bringing down Okazaki.
Koo Ja-cheol converted the spot-kick to save Mainz’s blushes.
Bundesliga
Paderborn vs Mainz 2-2; Borussia Moenchengladbach vs Stuttgart 1-1.