Hercules CF 1 : 0 Deportivo La Coruna - Hercules show of strength aids survival

Hercules picked up a vital three points with a 1-0 victory against mid-table Deportivo to keep their Primera Division survival bid on track and remain unbeaten in their last three matches.

A solitary Tiago Gomes strike was enough to take the home side above Real Zaragoza and within two points of 17th placed Osasuna while defeat means Deportivo stay 13th, only five points ahead of Hercules.

The visitors started brightly and could have opened the scoring inside the first minute when Xisco's shot flashed just wide of the post.

The Newcastle United loanee then tested Hercules goalkeeper Juan Calatayud with a header in the fifth minute as Hercules still struggled to get a foothold in proceedings.

Depor remained on top until the interval and came close through two efforts from Nouioui Lassad and a further chance for the busy Xisco.

Hercules emerged for the second half with more drive and started to exert themselves on the game as Gomes and Abraham Paz both had good chances just after the restart.

Miroslav Djukic's relegation-threatened side then took the lead on the hour mark.when Gomes met Kiko's cross with a powerful header that beat Daniel Aranzubia in the away goal.

The home side then looked to close the game out by introducing defender Noe Pamarot with just over fifteen minutes remaining and it worked as Hercules limited the visitors to long-range efforts.

David Trezeguet could have doubled Hercules' lead late on but his 88th-minute effort was just too high.