Cissokho from hero to villain

Valencia claimed their first away point in five league games with a 1-1 draw at Valladolid.

Valencia claimed their first away point in five league games with a 1-1 draw at Valladolid. Aly Cissokho had headed the visitors into the lead after just 15 minutes but the French defender went from hero to villain in the second half when he brought down Omar Ramos to concede a penalty and was shown a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Victor Perez confidently converted the spot-kick to extend Valladolid's unbeaten run to four games as both sides remain in mid-table on 15 points from 11 games. Los Che had not even scored in their past four away trips in the league but after Dani Parejo had struck the bar with a free-kick on 13 minutes, the visitors went ahead 60 seconds later as Cissokho was on hand at the back post to bundle home Andres Guardado's cross. The goal seemed to shake the hosts out of their early Sunday slumber and they came within inches of equalising when Alberto Bueno rattled a shot from 20 yards off the inside of the post. Guardado himself then came close with an effort from range that flew just wide but Valencia comfortably saw out the remainder of the half to take a deserved lead into half-time. Roberto Soldado had surprisingly been rested from the start but Valencia's top-scorer made his introduction after the break in place of Nelson Valdez and was unlucky not to double their lead on the hour mark as he turned Guardado's pass into the net from close range but was given offside in what looked like a very marginal call. And that was to prove crucial as two minutes later the game was turned on its head when Cissokho struggled to stay with Ramos before eventually bringing him down as he entered the area. Once he had given the penalty referee Velasco Carballo had no choice but to send the Frenchman off and Perez took no notice of Diego Alves' excellent penalty saving record as he stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the top corner. Luis Sastre whistled a shot just over as Valladolid pushed for the winner but they failed to create a clear-cut chance and could even have lost in the final seconds as Jesus Rueda made a brave block to prevent Adil Rami's volley heading towards goal.