Rayo Vallecano made a return to winning ways in La Liga with a 2-0 victory at home to struggling Almeria.
It took 20 minutes for the game's first clear chance to arrive as Roberto Trashorras's low drive was kept out by Almeria goalkeeper Ruben.
The hosts made the breakthrough soon after when Antonio Amaya rose in the box to head in Ze Castro's cross.
Almeria were denied a penalty on 34 minutes as Wellington Silva was bundled over in the box, while Rayo had their own appeals turned away moments later after Adrian Embarba was felled.
Chances were hard to come by following the restart, but Thievy Bifouma forced a save from Tono before Ruben denied Embarba from close range at the other end.
Almeria cranked up the pressure during the final 15 minutes, with Jonathan Zongo seeing his header tipped over the crossbar after Sebastian Dubarbier fired off target.
With the away side committing so many men forward in search of an equaliser, Vallecano wrapped up the points in stoppage time thanks to Miku's simple header from a Gael Kakuta cross.
Jack Prescott
