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Mainz scores both as Sevilla, Granada settle for disappointing 1-1 draw

Defender Diego Mainz scored at both ends as rivals Granada and Sevilla drew 1-1 at Estadio Los Carmenes.

The veteran Granada centre-back had put the home side into the lead with a towering header from a corner on 16 minutes.

However, Mainz then had the ball in the same net midway through the second half when he stabbed a cross past his own goalkeeper Roberto at the near post.

The draw was little good to either side's hopes at opposite ends of the table, with Sevilla chasing European qualification again while Granada remain second bottom.

Sevilla -- who came from behind to beat Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night -- made a positive start as Vitolo stabbed a through ball from Jose Antonio Reyes just wide.

Granada, though, took the lead when Mainz powered the ball into the top corner after it was floated through the penalty area from Daniel Candeias' corner.

Robert Ibanez dragged a low shot across goal as the hosts threatened again, before another ball through the Sevilla six-yard box was deflected onto the outside of the woodwork.

Sevilla, who are fifth, and chasing Valencia for the Champions League qualifying place, rallied towards the end of the first half, with Roberto tipping over a dangerous angled effort from Carlos Bacca.

The visitors continued their momentum following the restart as Denis Suarez's close-range header was blocked.

Sevilla's pressure eventually told on 69 minutes when substitute Aleix Vidal got clear down the right and sent a low cross into the six-yard box, which Mainz stabbed past his own keeper with an outstretched boot.

Unai Emery's side pressed for a winner with Diogo Figueiras and on-loan Barcelona forward Suarez both seeing efforts blocked as Granada held out for a point, which may not prove enough in their battle to stay up still four adrift of safety with six games left to play.