Real Zaragoza have clawed their way out of the bottom three with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in La Liga today.

The hosts came close in the 15th minute when Adam Pinter gained possession on the edge of the box and tested visiting goalkeeper Leo Franco with a lofted effort.

Zaragoza took the lead from the penalty spot with 26 minutes played after Jordi Figueras was adjudged to have handled in the area.

Apono stepped up and converted the resulting spot kick, drilling his shot into the bottom left corner to put his side 1-0 to the good.

The home side doubled their advantage in the 50th minute courtesy of a close-range effort from Rodri, a strike that effectively killed off the opposition.

Zaragoza iced the cake in stoppage time, with Apono blasting his effort into the bottom corner from outside the box to chalk up his second goal of the afternoon.

The result leaves Zaragoza just one place above the relegation places with a one-point lead over Deportivo La Coruna in 18th.