Getafe held by Elche

Getafe were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Elche as they failed to hold on to a first-half lead.

Getafe were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Elche as they failed to hold on to a first-half lead despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Miguel Moya. Pedro Leon Sanchez netted his fourth goal of the season midway through the first half before the Primera Division newcomers struck back to claim just their second point from the last four matches. Moya was tested in both halves but was unable to keep out Richmond Boakye's leveller after 61 minutes. The home side started well and Pedro Leon came close to opening the scoring as his corner ball from the right found the centre of the Elche goal before goalkeeper Manumanaged to clear. And minutes later the visitors could have taken the lead. Javi Marquez Moreno took a free-kick - after Lisandro Lopez fouled Boakye - but his effort from 35 yards out was safely collected by Getafe stopper Moya. Damian Suarez was next to have a go for Elche as they began to dominate, but his shot from the right of the 18-yard box was tipped round the post by Moya. The away side were on target again after 15 minutes and Moya was tested once more, this time by Carles Gil de Pareja as the Azulones keeper caught his long-range effort from the left channel. But against the run of play, Luis Garcia's men took the lead three minutes later. Diego Castro crossed in a fine ball from the right which found the feet of Pedro Leon, who was just outside the penalty box and fired home with his left foot to make it 1-0. The away side tried to get a goal back and came close through Gil, who fired a close-range effort towards the Getafe goal but Moya denied them again. Pablo Sarabia could have doubled Getafe's lead at the start of the second half as he shot just wide of the post, before Pedro Mosquera came close again five minutes later but also missed the target. Home defender Alberto Lopo replaced Lopez midway through the second half due to injury and it was not long before Elche got a goal back. Aaron Niguez provided a cross from the left wing and picked out Ghana international Boakye in the penalty box, who made no mistake as he headed home from close range for an equaliser just after the hour mark. The away side pressed on for a second and Niguez was unlucky not to double their score five minutes later but Moya managed to tip the ball over the crossbar to safety. Getafe substitute Jaime Gavilan came close deep into the second period, however he fired his long-range effort over the bar within 10 minutes of coming on. And the 28-year-old midfielder has another half-chance as the match started to draw to a close but his weak shot was comfortably caught by Herrera.