Athletic Bilbao have strengthened their grip on a top-four spot in La Liga by beating Getafe 1-0 at San Mames.

The home side came close to opening the scoring early on, as Mikel Rico ran towards goal before getting a strike away which was kept out by Jordi Codina.

Bilbao did find the breakthrough before half time, however, as Markel Susaeta struck a spectacular strike which flew into the top corner of the net from distance.

Codina was called into action once more just before the hour mark when Guillermo Fernandez controlled the ball from a free kick before releasing a strike, which the Spaniard kept out.

The Lions continued attacking in search of a decisive second goal, but the closest they came was through Gaizka Toquero Pinedo, who charged towards the opposition area and got an effort in at goal which was stopped by Codina once more.

Despite the missed opportunities, Getafe could not punish their opponents and the hosts held out for all three points, which move them onto 55 points, nine clear of fifth-placed Real Sociedad.