Granada CF 2 - 2 Rayo Vallecano: Ze Castro strikes late to secure Rayo Vallecano draw against 10-man Granada

Ze Castro's late equaliser earned Rayo Vallecano a 2-2 draw against 10-man Granada in a battle between two relegation-threatened teams in the Primera Division on Saturday.

Youssef El Arabi had given the hosts an early lead at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes before Pablo Hernandez levelled on the stroke of half-time.

El Arabi's spot-kick restored Granada's lead nine minutes after the break, but Isaac Success was shown a second yellow card in the 71st minute and the visitors made their numerical advantage count as Ze Castro popped up three minutes from time to grab a point for Paco Jemez's side.

Granada came into the fray looking for their first win in three and got off to a flying start when the in-form El Arabi - in acres of space in the Rayo box - guided home Isaac Cuenca's low cross after 12 minutes.

The visitors, who were seeking their first win in six games, equalised just before the interval as Hernandez angled home Adrian Embarba's lofted cross from the right channel.

Jose Lopez's men were then awarded a penalty after Success was tripped by Rayo goalkeeper Juan Carlos when clean through on goal. El Arabi stepped up to score his fifth goal in five games.

Success was then sent off for a second bookable offence after what seemed to be an accidental elbow on Rayo defender Jose Crespo while challenging for a header.

And Rayo scored a deserved equaliser late on as Manucho teed up Ze Castro, ensuring both sides claimed a share of the spoils.