Albacete 1 - Málaga 2

Albacete: Valbuena; Santi (Oscar Montiel 46'), Buades, Agus, Peña; Alvaro Rubio (Momo 46'), Viaud, David Sánchez; Peralta, Pacheco; Mikel (Francisco 50'). 4-3-2-1.
Málaga: Arnau; Alexis, César Navas, Fernando Sanz, Valcarce; Juanito, Romero; Gerardo, Juan Rodríguez, Duda (Manu 87'); Fernando Baiano (Amoroso 73'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Albacete: Agus, David Sánchez, Mikel for Mingo, Redondo, Momo / Málaga: Alexis for Miguel Angel.

Goals:
0-1. 52. Duda. Latched on to loose ball and beat Valbuena from edge of area..
1-1. 66. Pacheco. Fired shot over Arnau from outside of penalty area.
1-2. 83. Amoroso (penalty). After Amoroso himself fouled by Oscar Montiel.

Albacete look set to join Numancia and Mallorca in the second division next season after they lost 1-2 at home to Málaga. The Manchegans had only won at home three times this season, and they were unable to make much headway against a well organised defence in the first half, the only chance falling to Peralta who shot into the side netting. The visitors had not made much of impression themselves though in a dull first forty five minutes, with only a couple of headers over the bar including one from Baiano.

Things changed though a few minutes after the restart when the Andalusians took the lead, Duda drilling a low shot past Valbuena after the defence failed to clear Gerardo's long throw. Pacheco levelled the scores a quarter of an hour later after picking up a short pass and firing a shot wide of Arnau from outside of the area. But seven minutes from the end Gerardo curled a shot against the bar, and Oscar Montiel fouled Amoroso as he picked up the rebound and went for goal. Referee Losantos Omar immediately pointed to the penalty spot, and Amoroso himself stepped up to put his side back in front.

After the match the local fans protested in front of the directors' box and demanded changes. It would take a near miracle though to keep them in the top flight as things stand at the moment. Málaga though are safe, and Antonio Tapia can start to plan for another season in the first division.