Racing de Santander 1 : 1 Levante - Jorda strike stretches Levante run

Posted Sunday, April 10, 2011 by PA

Rafa Jorda equalised a minute from time at Racing Santander to extend Levante's unbeaten run in the Primera Division to seven matches and move the Valencia-based outfit a step closer to retaining their top-flight status in a 1-1 draw.

Nano's own goal had given Racing the lead 13 minutes before half-time, but Levante never gave up and got their reward in the closing stages when Jorda beat Tono to keep the promoted side nine points clear of the bottom three with just seven games left.

Levante's only defeat in the previous 10 league matches was a 2-0 loss at Real Madrid, and Luis Garcia's side boast the best record of any team outside the top two in the second half of the championship.

Giovani dos Santos looked lively for Racing early on, but the Mexican was off target with a shot after nine minutes.

Racing had won their last two matches, but Levante were a match for the Cantabrians.

Cristian Stuani came close with a header, Ruben Suarez was just off target with a free-kick and Valdo blasted over the bar as the visitors dominated in the first half an hour.

And they did have the ball in the net a minute after Valdo's effort, but Nano's header came at the wrong end and Racing had a lead they had barely merited.

Giovani, Pablo Pinillos and Pedro Munitis then all missed great chances to extend Racing's lead, but Levante kept themselves in the game and Jorda fired home in the 90th minute after Marc Torrejon had failed to clear.

Levante stay in 10th, while Racing are just two points worse off in 12th place.