Athletic Bilbao 1 : 1 Sporting de Gijon - Lora nets late Gijon equaliser

Posted Sunday, March 25, 2012 by PA

Alberto Lora struck what could prove to be a precious equaliser with 43 seconds left of regulation time as Sporting Gijon got out of jail with a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao.

Stranded in the relegation zone before kick-off, Javier Clemente's men looked in deeper trouble when their Basque hosts went ahead through Oscar de Marcos, having already missed a penalty through Iker Muniain.

But the Rojiblancos stayed in the game and, although Lora's strike did not get them a deficit-eroding win, it means they remain just about in touch heading into the closing stages of the campaign.

Bilbao had their own causes for concern heading into the game, with their stunning European form not matched by their domestic performances.

They had lost three in a row prior to this game, but started as though they were keen to change that as Markel Susaeta drawing a save out of Juan Pablo Colinas.

Sporting responded with Pedro Orfila hitting over, while Formose Mendy should have done better when the ball fell to him 12 yards out.

The entertaining opening belied both side's recent struggles, and Sporting again threatened when Adrian Colunga's free-kick was blocked.

Athletic then had the perfect chance to open the scoring when they were awarded a 34th-minute penalty.

Fernando Llorente had already blazed wide when the decision was made for an Andre Castro foul on Susaeta, with Muniain hitting his penalty at Colinas.

If the hosts were going to score it was likely either Llorente or Muniain would be involved and both passed up opportunities as half-time approached.

The game remained open in the second period, with Andoni Iraola and Miguel trading efforts and De Marcos fluffing his lines from 12 yards out.

He found his range with 13 minutes left, though, taking in Muniain's pass and doing the rest from just inside the area.

It appeared as though the goal had broken Gijon but, just when all appeared lost, Lora picked his spot from just inside the area to give his side a lifeline.