La Liga basement side Malaga earned a small slimmer of hope in their battle against the drop with a victory at home to European-chasing Villarreal.
A first half penalty from Chory Castro was enough to seal the Andalusian side’s first victory in 11 matches under Coach Jose Gonzalez.
It was just Malaga’s fourth victory of the campaign and takes them to within three points of second-from-bottom Deportivo and 11from Levante, who occupy 17th spot.
Castro’s penalty ensured a hard-fought win, coming just minutes after Diego Rolan had blasted an excellent opening over the bar.
Malaga earned their first victory in 19 matches – a run stretching back to December – while Villarreal remain fifth but lost an opportunity to consolidate a European place.
