Primera Division: More frustration for Villarreal as they draw 1-1 at Getafe

Villarreal's torrid run continued as they were held to a 1-1 Primera Division draw at Getafe and remain without a win since March 8.

Marcelino's side looked to be heading for their first win in six matches in all competitions when Ikechukwu Uche broke the deadlock early in the second half from the penalty spot but his effort was soon cancelled out by Diego Castro, and Getafe held on for a point despite having just two shots on target all game.

Villarreal's misery was compounded as influential defender Mateo Musacchio suffered a serious ankle injury in the second half, just 20 minutes after coming on as a substitute.

The Yellow Submarine move on to 51 points and stay sixth in the La Liga table, 11 points behind Sevilla in fifth but five points clear of Malaga in seventh.

The game got off to a flying start, with Pedro Leon driving a free-kick just beyond the a post after three minutes, and immediately after Uche forced Getafe goalkeeper Vicente Guaita to save his stinging effort from the edge of the area.

There were few further opportunities until Gerard Moreno turned Getafe defender Alexis Ruano in the area and fired just wide of the target, and the two teams headed to their dressing rooms at half-time with the score goalless.

Uche broke the deadlock five minutes after the break by converting a penalty he had won when Mehdi Lacen swiped his legs in the box just as the Nigerian was about to pull the trigger.

Uche could have scored again a moment later as he found space to shoot inside the area but Guaita made another smart save.

Getafe were struggling to get forward but they drew level on 64 minutes as Castro adjusted his footing to meet Roberto Lago's cross from the left-hand side.

Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo then came to his side's aid after a disappointing display in the 3-0 defeat to Espanyol in midweek, diving to save Pedro Leon's driven effort.

The mood in the Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium darkened when Musacchio fell to the floor writhing in pain following a challenge with Castro, with TV images showing the state of the Argentinian's ankle making for horrifying viewing.

It is terrible luck for Musacchio, who was forced to miss three months earlier in the season with a hamstring problem.

Villarreal had to finish the game with 10 men as Marcelino had already made his three substitutions, but Giovani dos Santos could have won it at the death when he turned a defender in the area, but shot into the side netting.