Eibar have succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of struggling Elche in this evening's La Liga clash at the Estadio Municipal de Ipurua.

The hosts registered the first chance of the game as early as the second minute when Javi Lara's shot from outside the box soared over the bar.

Mikel Arruabarrena then headed into Przemyslaw Tyton's arms four minutes later, while the visitors came close in the 10th minute when Jonathas rounded Raul Navas and sent a shot goalwards, but it missed the target.

Eibar were on top during a first half laden with attacking football, but neither side could break the deadlock come the break.

Gaizka Garitano's charges would rue their missed opportunities because, in the 50th minute, Jonathas was left unmarked in the box to send a header past Xabi Irureta and give the visitors the lead.

Elche then found themselves under siege, but when it seemed like it was just a matter of time before the hosts would score, they found themselves a man down.

Federico Piovaccari, Eibar's lone striker, struck Edu Albacar with his elbow while jumping up for a ball, leaving the referee with no choice but to show a red card.

Ultimately, the beleaguered hosts were unable to find a late equaliser, leaving Elche to secure all three points and build up a four-point cushion between themselves and La Liga's drop zone.