Malaga 1 - 1 Real Sociedad: Malaga held by Sociedad

Malaga's European hopes suffered a setback as their conceded a late equaliser to draw 1-1 at home to Real Sociedad on Saturday night.

Ruben Pardo earned the visitors a point seven minutes from time, cancelling out Recio's header 10 minutes into the second half.

The draw left the hosts four points behind sixth-placed Villarreal, who have a game in hand.

David Moyes' side had come into the game on the back of three straight wins and, despite maintaining their unbeaten run, slipped a place to 10th.

The visitors had the first chance of note, but Joseba Zaldua shot wide of the left post from inside the area in the 18th minute.

At the other end Samu's shot from close range was saved down to his left by goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.

Sociedad had two chances in quick succession just before the half-hour mark when first Sergio Canales had had a shot saved by Carlos Kameni and then Esteban Granero fired wide of the right post.

Malaga went ahead in the 55th minute when Samu Castillejo floated in a free-kick from deep on the right and Recio was unmarked to head home at the far post.

But Sociedad got the equaliser their performance deserved when Pardo fired into the bottom left corner from outside the area with seven minutes remaining.