It would be cruel to blame anyone for letting a first minute lead slip to a 1-1 draw at Almeria but, Dani Kome, just how did you miss that second half sitter? To be fair, others were also guilty of similar crimes, Nino and Alfaro both looked woefully casual in front of goal.

It started so well, captain Marc Bertran (pic) was back in the line up, releasing his stand in Juanlu to a more attacking midfield role, and it paid off. Kome had his first minute shot parried by the Almeria keeper and Juanlu drove the rebound into the net. The restored midfielder could have added a second 10 minutes later, breaking before firing to the keepers left. Cisma was a big threat for the home team, but Sergio denied him with a strong low save. Alfaro was blocked by Chico and Nino forced him to give away a free kick, alas the resulting shot went wide. Ricardo showed good vision, sending in a long looping shot which the keeper held. Â

Into the second half, Almeria thought they had scored but it was ruled out for a foul on Sergio the CDT keeper. Nino set up Alfaro but he ran into the home defence, and then came Kome’s moment. Alfaro crossed the ball, Juanlu nodded it on across the goalmouth and it fell to Kome who shot over the bar. A few minutes later Almeria were level, Soriano put Goitom through and he walked through the centre of the Tenerife defence, Bertran really should have got a tackle in, and scored. Tenerife needed a helping hand, Almeria obliged, Piatti stupidly kicked the ball away after an offside call, and with a yellow earlier, he was sent off.

A big push was needed, Ayoze came on for Mikel but Tenerife were guilty of some sloppy passing and half hearted shooting. Nino had a great chance and hit it sky high, and spurned another chance in the final minute, again putting it over. This really should have been the elusive first away win, the 7 yellow cards Tenerife picked up in a game that was never dirty, could also come back to haunt them. Next week will be tough at home to Valencia, and the week after Zaragoza come visiting, one of only 2 sides below Tenerife – and that’s only the start of the second half of the season!