This was always going to be the game that mattered most and CD Tenerife blew it in a nightmare first half. They just weren’t hungry enough, despite last weeks spirit soaring home win over Espanyol and knowing what was at stake. Xerez are not rock bottom by bad luck, they are a poor side but they were more physical and didn’t let Tenerife settle to their game.

Ayoze fired wide in the opening minutes but Calvo was soon tormenting them on the left wing whipping in a tempting high cross that Sergio plucked out of the air. The keeper was at fault soon after due to poor positioning, Bermejo rose for a free header and Sergio caught it just over the goal line. The nippy Calvo had switched to the left and 10 minutes later crossed the ball for Aythami to head the ball in the net after it rebounded down off the crossbar, Sergio again seemed to be off balance.

Richi tried to set up Alfaro but his shot was well saved by Chema in the home goal . The bruising Xerez defenders gave Tenerife few chances but Nino should have done better with a penalty for a hand ball just before the break. Sergio came to the rescue rushing out of his goal to clear an Xerez attack as his defence went missing but it was a pretty miserable half for Tenerife.

At least CDT came back out with a bit more aggression, Ayoze was close after breaking clear and then a great move reduced the arrears. Alfaro charged forward and put in a perfect hanging cross that Nino rose well to head into the home net. Xerez hit straight back with a breakaway, thankfully Michel wasted his chance shooting over the bar. Orellana tried a speculative chip and wasn’t far off target while Juanlu shot wide at the other end.

Dinei came on for the quiet Richi and added some muscle to the attack but Xerez were not about to let a rare victory slip away. Sicilia made a crucial tackle to halt a threatening Xerez attack, Calvo forced Sergio to rush and cover for his defence again, and Viqueira saw his long shot sail over the Tenerife goal. Redondo was sent off for a blatant high hand ball,anything would do to keep the win at this stage, Ricardo had a late chance that he drove into the home keeper but the away curse remained intact.

Valladolid picked up a surprise 2-0 win at Deportivo to pile the pressure back on Tenerife, another huge effort is needed at home to Villareal on Wednesday night, but no team can expect to stay up if they can’t win away at least once in a season.