Cádiz CF secured a valuable point in the battle to maintain top flight status in their clash against Deportivo Alavés in Mendizorroza. The game which was generally lacking in incident, sparked into life in the final minutes of the match.
Both goals were scored from the penalty spot with the home side taking a first half lead and Cádiz drawing level in the final minutes of the game.
Marcos Mauro's injury overshadowed the start of the game
Álvaro Cervera was obliged to make an early substitution after Marcos Mauro pulled a calf muscle which forced the coach to amend the defensive line-up as Salvi came on in a wing-back defensive role which saw Fali and Cala marshall the heart of the defence.
Alavés looking to the flanks
Alavés dominated possession in the early stages of the game and looked to break through the Cádiz defence through a series of long balls with this strategy almost paying off with José Mari almost putting the ball into his own net but fortunately Ledesma was alert to steer the ball away for a corner.
Time ticked down with neither side able to find a breakthrough
The visitors seemed to ease their way into the game as the half progressed with Ledesma rarely being called upon with both sides resorting to long-range shots with an effort from José Mari and a drive from Rioja, for the home side being the only half chances for either side.
Alavés go ahead from the spot
Salvi was penalised for a handball in the box as his outstretched arm changed the direction of the ball with Joselu one-on-one with just Ledesma to beat and it was Joselu himself who expertly slotted home the spot kick to fire the home side into the lead.
The goal forces the visitors to push forward…
Cádiz, who had looked comfortable for most of the first half were suddenly forced to chase the game, changing their game plan as they looked for a way to pile pressure on Pacheco's goal. Despite a few hopeful crosses into the box and a strike from Negredo that went high and wide, there was however little of concern for the Alavés goalkeeper.
The rhythm of the game picked up in the second half
Both sides struggled to make headway in the opposition area as Cádiz probed looking for the equaliser with Negredo again going close for Cervera's side as the home side sat deeper looking to pounce on the counter attack without risking the solitary goal lead.
The equaliser also came from the spot
The goal for the visitors eventually came from a Fali free-kick as Alavés captain Manu caught Cala in the box with his elbow with the well positioned match official having no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Álex Fernández was called up and made no mistake in slotting home the penalty in the 84th minute of the contest.
Cervera's side searched valiantly for a late winner
With Alavés down to ten men and on the ropes, the visitors looked for a way past Albelardo's rattled side with a deflected Malbasic effort almost enough to secure maximum points for the visitors.
