Hector Moreno's header 10 minutes from time has earned Espanyol a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano in today's early La Liga match.
Espanyol started the brighter at Cornella-El Prat and went close twice in the early stages as Felipe Caicedo fizzed a shot narrowly wide before Anaitz Arbilla slammed a free kick against the crossbar.
Rayo, who had lost six of their last seven away league games, took the lead against the run of play just before the half-hour mark when Emiliano Insua slotted home after surging beyond the home defence.
The visitors defended well for the remainder of the opening period and much of the second half before Moreno found an equaliser with a well-directed header in the 80th minute.
Sergio Garcia almost won it for Espanyol, but he was denied by Tono and the hosts ended the match with 10 men as Jose Canas was given two quick yellow cards in stoppage time.
Espanyol extend their unbeaten La Liga record when playing Rayo at home to 14 games and move up to ninth in the table.
Pascal Lemesre
