Racing Santander 1 - Rayo Vallecano 1

Racing: Ceballos; Tais, Arzeno, Mellberg, Sietes; Espina (Morán 69'), Ismael; Manjarín, Regueiro, Amavisca; Mazzoni (Magallanes 69'). 4-2-3-1.
Rayo: Keller; Mauro, De Quintana, Patxi Ferreira, Ballesteros, Alcázar; Iván Iglesias (Dani Bouzas 73'), Helder (Clotet 90'), Setvalls; Luis Cembranos (Quevedo 70'); Bolo. 5-3-1-1.

Team changes: Racing: Tais, Sietes, Regueiro for Pineda, Juanma, Morán / Rayo: Patxi Ferreira, Iván Iglesias, Helder, Setvalls, Bolo for Mingo, Poschner, Quevedo, Michel, Bolic.

Goals:
0-1. 18. Bolo. Took return pass from Cembranos to beat Ceballos.
1-1. 25. Arzeno. Got on end Of Amavisca free kick to volley past Keller.

Racing Santander's run of five wins in a row at home came to an end against Rayo Vallecano, and they now have one game less to try and climb out of the relegation zone. With Tais and Regueiro returning from international duty the fans were hopeful of continuing their run against a Rayo Vallecano side who have faltered in recent weeks, and who were missing the suspended Poschner and the injured Michel, two of their most inspirational players. Without them Juande Ramos opted to play an untried three man central defence, leaving Bolo alone up front supported by Luis Cembranos. It appeared to be a good move early on, as the two front men worked a neat passing move for Bolo to finish off with a precision header past Ceballos.

However, Arzeno equalised a few minutes later with an unstoppable volley, and for the rest of the first half Racing were in charge as they attacked Keller's goal without mercy. Regueiro fired a cannonball against the outside of the US international keeper's post from a short Amavisca free kick and Mazzoni failed to convert at least three clear chances before referee Losantos Omar blew his whistle for half time. After the break though the rain seemed to penetrate the brains of the players and everything slowed down, particularly after Losantos sent off Rayo's Setvalls rather harshly for tackling Mazzoni from behind, after which Ramos put on Quevado for Luis and pulled his players back to defend the point.

Keller saved well from Arzeno and Regueiro, and Amavisca's unsporting behaviour upset the visiting players after he kept play going rather putting the ball out with the keeper lying injured on the ground. Towards the end the home fans started to drift away, disappointed at another opportunity lost, although their team didn't fall any further behind, with only Oviedo and Osasuna picking up a point each and Zaragoza, Valladolid, Real Sociedad and Numancia all losing amongst the teams vying with them to avoid the three relegation spots. Rayo stay in twelfth place with 39 points, seven now above the drop zone and they should be fairly safe, although they now face the feared quartet of Depor. Barça, Madrid and Mallorca in their upcoming games.