Sporting de Gijon 2 : 2 Deportivo La Coruna - Late Barral penalty spares Sporting

Posted Saturday, May 07, 2011 by PA

A stoppage time equaliser from Sporting Gijon leaves Deportivo languishing towards the bottom of the Primera Division and keeps them embroiled in the fight for survival after a 2-2 draw.

Depor started the game brightly and did not look like a side facing relegation when Adrian Lopez gave them the lead inside 10 minutes when he converted Riki's cross from close range.

Gijon levelled after 36 minutes when Sanabria Laure's handball led to a penalty which was coolly converted by Garcia Ayoze.

Miguel Angel Lotina's struggling side were back in front only four minutes later when Adrian scored his second of the game, turning Andres Guardado's cross into the net from the edge of the six yard box.

There were very few chances in the second half although Adrian should have grabbed his hat-trick but he shot timidly at Juan Pablo Colinas from inside the box.

Gijon then started to impose themselves on the match as the second half wore on and Alberto Lora and David Barral both came close before Andre Castro rattled the Depor crossbar.

Despite this period of domination it looked like Deportivo were going to hang on to three vital points and could have even extended their lead when Juan Dominguez shot straight at Colinas from close range.

That miss proved to be costly when Ruben Perez fouled Barral in the box deep into stoppage time before the former Real Madrid man drew Gijon level again from the spot.

That equaliser means that Gijon go 10th in the table whereas Deportivo sit 17th on 38 points, only one clear of Getafe who also boast a better goal difference.