Depor on the brink after last gasp win over inspired Nástic : Liga Adelante Round-Up and Highlights

By Staff Writer
Updated: 24 May, 2012

EFE

Deportivo la Coruña grabbed a dramatic stoppage time winner over Nástic on Wednesday night to put themselves on the brink of an immediate return to the Spanish Primera División.

The Galicians 2-1 victory in Tarragona now means defeat for third-placed Valladolid against Recreativo on Thursday evening would send Jose Luis Oltra’s side back to the top flight with two games yet to play. Depor dominated the opening exchanges of the encounter and Lassad went close to breaking to deadlock early on. Despite this dominance, the visitors found themselves behind in the 11th minute when Xisco Campos fired past Daniel Aranzubia.

The hosts visibly grew in confidence after the goal and played some sublime football – leaving many to question why Jorge D’Alessandro’s already-relegated side could not have produced on a more regular basis this season. Fernando Moran almost doubled Nástic ‘s lead but was denied by a fine save from an inspired Aranzubia in the Depor goal, however just as the opening goal, the games second strike came against the run of play when Bruno Gama leveled for the visitors on the half hour mark.

Both sides had a number of chances in the second half as the encounter ebbed and flowed from one end to the other, but as game drifted deep into stoppage time it seemed to be heading for stalemate. However the winning goal finally came four minutes into time added on when Jose Guardado fired across the six-yard box for an unmarked Xisco to finish from close range.

Nine-man Celta Vigo kept the pressure on their Galicia rivals as they came from behind to beat a lacklustre ten-man Xerez 4-1 at the Balaidos. The game started badly for the hosts as they saw goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez dismissed with less than 10 minutes on the clock after pulling down Maldonado in the penalty area. Jesus Mendoza converted the resulting spot kick to give the advantage to Xerez, who were looking for a impressive double after beating leaders Depor last week.

Despite being a man sort however, Celta fought back well and the equaliser came in the 27th minute when Iago Aspas got his 21st goal of the season to beat Toni in the Xerez goal.

The Xerez goalkeeper was then given his marching orders eight minutes into the second half after hauling down Fabian Orellana. Aspas stepped up to calmly slot the penalty past substitute Antonio Doblas, and Celta were well on the way to securing the points.

The home crowd had to wait 30 minutes for the third goal, but it was a strike worth waiting for as Alex Lopez’s rasping 35-yard effort flew past Doblas into the top corner. Orellana finished the scoring with two minutes left on the clock after a sublime chip over the advancing Doblas, but the result was soured somewhat when Hugo Mallo was sent off for Celta in stoppage time after picking up his second caution.

Elsewhere, Hércules romped to a 5-0 victory over Alcoyano at el Callao while Alcorcón secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sabadell at Santo Domingo, as the race for play-off positions nears conclusion. Both sides now know anything other than an Almería victory over Numancia on Thursday will secure their play-off spots, along with Cordoba.

In Wednesday’s other games, Javi Gurrero’s late strike gave Las Palmas a 2-1 victory at Elche after Nicki Bille had earlier cancelled out Portillio’s opener, first half goals from Ivan Moreno and Jonan gave Guadalajara a 2-0 victory over Barcelona B and Huesca won at Murcia as Antonio Nuñez scord the only goal of the game mid-way throught the first half.

_________________________________

CELTA 4-1 XEREZ

ALCORCÓN 1-0 SABADELL

ALCOYANO 0-5 HÉRCULES

ELCHE 1-2 LAS PALMAS

GUADALAJARA 2-0 BARCELONA B

MURCIA 0-1 HUESCA

NÁSTIC 1-2 DEPORTIVO

Follow @icentrocampista