Valladolid remain in trouble

Real Valladolid remained deep in Primera Division relegation trouble after losing 4-3 to already-condemned Real Betis.

Real Valladolid remained deep in Primera Division relegation trouble after losing 4-3 to already-condemned Real Betis. The bottom club came from behind three times with goals from Braian Rodriguez, Jorge Molina and Ruben Castro before substitute Juanfran's last-minute free-kick settled the game. Valladolid, for whom Javi Guerra's brace and Carlos Pena's goal were in vain, remain second from bottom and two points adrift of 17th-placed Granada, their opponents in next Sunday's final game of the season. Less than a minute was on the clock by the time Javi Guerra gave Valladolid a much-needed early lead, heading in Jeffren's cross. But it lasted only five minutes before Salva Sevilla swung over a corner for Betis and Rodriguez finished from six yards. Goalkeeper Jaime denied Betis a second when he tipped Javier Matilla's shot around the post and Rodriguez then fired over from Sevilla's corner. Jeffren drew a sharp save from Antonio Adan, who also denied Daniel Larsson. Rodriguez was wide with a header and a right-foot effort and at the other end Adan saved Antonio Rukavina's shot to keep the scores level at the interval. Valladolid restored their lead early in the second half when Jeffren's shot was blocked, but Marc Valiente crossed to Pena, who fired into the roof of the net. Again Betis hit back quickly, though, Molina heading in after being set up by Castro. The goals kept on coming as Adan brought down Larsson in the penalty area and, after Molina was booked for his protests, Javi Guerra tucked away the penalty. Jaime saved Rodriguez's header, but could do little when Juanfran, recently introduced in place of Jose Carlos, crossed for Castro to finish in the 77th minute. Sevilla was denied by the keeper's good reflexes, which were matched by Adan as he tipped away Humberto Osorio's shot. Javi Guerra and Castro both failed to find the target, but there was a final twist to come. Stefan Mitrovic fouled Molina as the game ticked into stoppage time and Juanfran stepped up to curl the 30-yard free-kick into the top corner.