Osasuna 1 - 1 Mallorca: Mallorca hit back for point

Posted Saturday, February 05, 2011 by PA

Osasuna remain just above the relegation zone after failing to hold on to an early lead in a 1-1 draw at home to stuttering Real Mallorca.

Looking to follow up last weekend's shock victory over Real Madrid, Osasuna were handed the perfect start when Miguel Flano put them ahead after just seven minutes against a Mallorca side who had lost their previous three matches.

However, Mallorca, who had also lost seven of their 10 away games this season prior to this match, snatched a share of the spoils thanks to Gonzalo Castro's equaliser in the 38th minute.

The result means Osasuna are now just two points above the bottom three following Almeria's surprise win over Espanyol, while Mallorca remain six points better off than the Pamplona outfit in mid-table.

Buoyed by their win over Madrid - their first victory since November - Osasuna started well and took the lead with the first chance of the match.

Carlos Aranda headed a Patxi Punal free-kick goalward and, although Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate kept that effort out, Flano pounced on the loose ball to power in a shot from close range.

Mallorca, who had conceded eight goals and scored none in losing their previous three games to Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Sporting Gijon, almost drew level moments later when Emilio Nsue brought a fine save out of Ricardo Lopez.

Aouate then did likewise at the other end to deny Javier Camunas - Osasuna's goal hero against Madrid - before Fernando Soriano missed a couple of chances for the home side.

Osasuna's lead disappeared before half-time thanks to a good finish from Castro, who fired in his fifth league goal of the season from the edge of the area after being picked out by team-mate Michael Pereira.

That is the way the scoreline finished, with Osasuna coming closest to a winning goal when, not long after Castro's equaliser, Walter Pandiani fired a shot against the crossbar before sending the rebound over.