Espanyol 1 - 1 Valladolid

Late leveller denies Espanyol

Updated: November 1, 2009, 7:07 PM UK

Espanyol saw their hopes of a fourth Primera Division win of the season go up in smoke as a 94th-minute equaliser earned Valladolid a 1-1 draw.

The Catalans went ahead through Luis Garcia after 51 minutes and looked to be heading to a hard-fought victory as time ticked away.

But substitute Haris Medunjanin snatched a point for the visitors with a screamer deep into added time, after Espanyol had endured a nervous period at the end of normal time.

Valladolid got off to a poor start this season but moved clear of the relegation zone thanks to an impressive 4-0 win at home to Deportivo La Coruna last weekend.

That win, only the club's second league success all season, was followed by a 2-1 victory at home to in-form Mallorca in the Copa del Rey in midweek.

The Castilians started well and went close after 13 minutes, when Diego Costa flashed a blistering long-range effort just off target.

At the other end, Jose Callejon blasted a powerful effort over the bar.

The Catalans began to enjoy the better of the possession, and Joan Verdu shot wide from the edge of the box after Valladolid had failed to clear a free-kick.

Callejon should have given Mauricio Pochettino's side the lead after 27 minutes, when he latched on to Verdu's return pass, but the young striker's weak effort failed to trouble Valladolid goalkeeper Justo Villar.

The Paraguay goalkeeper then kept his team on level terms with a fine save from Ivan Alonso, who was one-on-one and should have scored.

Espanyol continued to dominate but remained wasteful in front of goal as half-time approached.

Alonso headed wide a minute before the interval, and Juan Forlin saw his header sail over the bar moments later.

The hosts must have been frustrated to go in level but took the lead early in the second half - when Luis Garcia latched on to Fernando Marques' through-ball, controlled with his chest and fired a clinical shot underneath Villar.

It was no more than Espanyol deserved - but it was all Valladolid after that.

Espanyol looked too content to sit back on their lead, and Valladolid threatened constantly in the last half-hour.

Alberto Bueno and Diego Costa both went close, before Medunjanin crashed a free-kick against the post with six minutes left.

The visitors also appealed for a penalty, and Fabian Canobbio was denied by a last-ditch block.

But Valladolid finally got their reward deep into injury time, when former Holland Under-21s midfielder Medunjanin lashed an unstoppable drive past Carlos Kameni to seal a dramatic point for the visitors and leave a sour taste in the mouth for Espanyol.

Despite the draw, the Catalans are up to seventh - while Valladolid are now 14th.