Zaragoza 1 : 0 Atletico de Madrid - Apono spot on for Zaragoza

Apono scored a penalty deep into stoppage time to earn Real Zaragoza a 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid and a vital three points in their bid to avoid relegation.

In a game devoid of too many clear-cut chances, Atletico came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first period as Adrian Lopez and Radamel Falcao hit the woodwork in the same attack midway through the half.

Falcao came close again after the break as his close-range header drifted wide, but the game seemed destined for a draw until Diego Godin's naive challenge on Helder Postiga gave Apono the chance to win it in the 93rd minute - something he duly did by smashing the ball past Thibaut Courtois.

Both sides had won in midweek but there was little sign of that confidence on show in a poor first half with neither showing much invention.

Ivan Obradovic fired into the side-netting with Zaragoza's first effort after 20 minutes, before Atleti twice went within inches of taking the lead as Adrian was played in by Arda Turan and, after his initial shot came back off the bar, Falcao's follow-up effort rebounded off the post.

Tomislav Dujimovic should have done better when Abraham's cross found him free inside the area seven minutes before the break but he did not get enough purchase on his header and the ball glanced wide.

Falcao again went close with 25 minutes remaining as a wonderful run and cross from Filipe Luis found him inside the area but the Colombian's header scraped just past the post.

Both managers made offensive substitutions in a bid to find a winner and it was Manolo Jimenez's side who took their opportunity as Alberto Undiano pointed to the spot when Postiga and Godin clashed on the left-side of the box and Apono, whose two goals had handed Zaragoza victory over Valencia in midweek, placed the penalty perfectly into the top corner.

The Aragonese side move to within three points of safety, whilst Atleti's Champions League ambitions took another hit as they remain five points behind Malaga and Levante.