Almería 1 - Recreativo Huelva 0

Almería: Diego Alvés; Bruno, Chico, Pellerano, Mané; Julio Alvarez, Iriney; Nieto (Crusat 76'), Corona (Natalio 46'), Piatti (José Ortíz 67'); Negredo. 4-2-3-1.
Recreativo: Riesgo; Pablo Oliveira, Morris, César Arzo, Poli; Sisi, Jesús Vázquez, Javi Fuego, Aitor (Camuñas 71'); Adrián Colunga (Marco Rubén 73'), Javi Guerrero (Lamas 85'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Almería: Chico, Mané, Iriney, Nieto, Corona, Piatti for Carlos García, Acasiete, Juanito, Juanma Ortíz, Soriano, Crusat / Recreativo: Aitor, Adrián Colunga for Camuñas, Marco Rubén.

Goals:
1-0. 95. Negredo. Fired ball back in to net after Crusat shot came back off post.

Yellow cards: Vázquez 33', 79', Sisi 35', 96', Oliveira 83', 84', Riesgo 85', Chico 91' / red cards: Vázquez 79', Oliveira 84', Sisi 96'.

Almería are proving to be the surprise package this season, and they kept pace with the big boys after a last minute 1-0 victory over Recreativo Sunday evening. The visitors had clearly come to defend, and they fell back right from the start. Piatti fired an angled shot wide, Riesgo saved from Negredo, and the striker headed another effort over, but the sides went in at the break still level.

Recre did have a bit of a go after the restart, Aitor having a shot blocked and Colunga bring a good save out of Diego Alves. But then an overzealous Clos Gómez sent off Jesús Vázquez and then Oliveira for second bookable offences, and it was nine men back to defend.

Riesgo produced another fine save from Bruno and Natalio headed another chance wide as the visitors prayed for the end, but the referee added five agonizing minutes more. And with seconds remaining Crusat's shot came back off the post, and Negredo was there to drive home his fourth goal of the season. Recre were crestfallen, and to add to their woes Sisi became Clos Gómez's third victim for protesting after the final whistle.