Rayo Vallecano 1 - 1 Eibar: Gonzalo Escalante strikes to earn Eibar a point

Posted Sunday, March 13, 2016 by PA

Gonzalo Escalante's equaliser secured Eibar a point from a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano and halted his side's four-game losing run.

Escalante headed Eibar level before the break after fellow defender Ze Castro's header had given Rayo an early lead.

Eibar had lost seven of their previous eight league games heading into the match and the omens did not look good as Rayo made an excellent start, opening the scoring in the seventh minute when Portuguese Ze Castro headed home Roberto Trashorras's corner.

Miku almost doubled Rayo's lead a minute later when his shot was brilliantly saved in the bottom corner by Eibar goalkeeper Asier Riesgo following another Trashorras assist.

Escalante headed just over midway through the first half and then hauled his side level in the 36th minute with another header following David Junca's cross.

Takashi Inui and Borja Baston both fired just off target early in the second half for Eibar and at the other end Ze Castro headed over the crossbar.

Miku blazed an effort off target for Rayo, who have now gone six games without a win, while Inui threatened at the other end but chances soon dried up.

A long-range shot from Miku in the 71st minute flew wide and Rayo substitute Quini's drive from the edge of the area soon after flew wide.

Eibar were reduced to 10 men with five minutes remaining when midfielder Josip Radosevic was shown a second yellow card before Rayo striker Bebe had the last meaningful chance when he lashed a late free-kick from a difficult angle high and wide.