Jonas Hofmann has admitted that Mainz 05 made avoidable errors on their way to a 4-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park.

Elkin Soto's strike in the opening minute handed the visitors a half-time lead, but Dortmund scored twice either side of a Yunus Malli equaliser to punish the Mainz defence.

Hofmann admits that every result is now crucial in the battle to avoid relegation.

"After seeing how BVB played last week, we thought it might take them a little while to get themselves together, and we were good in the first half," Hofmann, who is on loan at Mainz from Dortmund, told reporters.

"But we came out and conceded twice quickly, and particularly one from a set piece. I always think they're the silliest goals to concede.

"For us now, every game is significant, we're in a relegation battle, and Dortmund have managed to get themselves out. We have to pick up points week by week and we'll stay together as a club and trust in each other. We have to keep giving it our all."

Mainz have won just one of their last 13 Bundesliga games.