Primera Division: Elche nudged another point clear of the Primera Division relegation zone with a well-earned 1-1 draw at Espanyol.

Elche nudged another point clear of the Primera Division relegation zone with a well-earned 1-1 draw at Espanyol.

Sergio Garcia gave the hosts a first-half lead but Christian Herrera's header earned Elche a point.

The result leaves the visitors two places and three points above the drop zone, with Espanyol a further seven points and four places above them and surely secure in the top flight.

Elche began the match on the front foot, but Edu Albacar shot wide from the edge of the box and Jonathas headed wide.

But the breakthrough came at the other end when, following a rapid counter-attack, Abraham Gonzalez teed up Garcia to send a brilliant left-footed curler into the very top left corner from 25 yards.

Elche went in search of an immediate equaliser but Jonathas' angled shot was blocked.

Adrian Gonzalez flashed a 25-yard effort wide of the far post and Coro headed wide, meaning Espanyol still led at the break despite having barely shown as an attacking force.

They finally threatened a second in the 56th minute when Lucas Vazquez let fly from 25 yards, but keeper Przemyslaw Tyton got down well to save.

Another Coro shot was blocked but the equaliser came in the 77th minute. Jonathas turned beautifully to work space for a shot and - though his effort was parried by Francisco Casilla - Herrera reacted sharply to nod the rebound home from near the penalty spot.

Finally Espanyol showed some urgency and Garcia forced a good reflex save from Tyton, the Poland international sticking out a big right foot to divert his shot around the post.

Vazquez set up that chance and was the creator twice more in the closing stages as the home side sought a winner.

Defender Hector Moreno, up for a corner, headed Vazquez's delivery wide and when another cross in the last minute saw Victor Sanchez's header blocked, Elche had done enough to earn a share of the spoils.