Written by Stephen King and directed by James Cameron, CD Tenerife’s La Liga relegation drama has been an epic and will now go to the dramatic finale at Valencia next weekend. Almeria showed scant regard for the script and came from behind to lead 2-1 in Santa Cruz before Nino equalised in injury time as the credits were about to roll.

Pre match nerves have never been so frayed as 20,810 packed the Heliodoro to sing, chant and will Tenerife to a vital win. It started so well, Roman had a strong header tipped over by Alves just 2 minutes into the game and Nino gave the keeper plenty to think about a few minutes later. Captain Bertran was on top form prompting the attack with a series of tempting crosses but he was more direct for the Tenerife opener after 15 minutes, picking up a loose clearance and curling his shot into the visitors net – cue an explosion of celebration in the stands.

But it couldn’t really be that easy, just three minutes later Cisma took advantage of some indecision from Hector and Sicilia and set up Piatti who stroked the ball into the bottom corner of the net to level. Almeria had nothing to play for but showed lots of spirit and took the game to a nervous Tenerife. Sergio Aragonoses was again the saviour with some fine saves especially one from Soriano. All square at half time and nails were dissapearing at an alarming rate.

Almeria grabbed the game by the throat as the second half started, Corona tested Sergio with two good strikes and found him up to the task. Nino and Roman both went close at the other end with headers as Ayoze and Alfaro tried to fashion another home goal. Then disaster struck as Almeria broke away and Crusat grabbed the lead beating Sergio at close quarters. There was barely 20 minutes left, Dinei was on and soon joined by Angel and Omar as the search for salvation got more and more desperate. Into injury time and hope was fading away, thankfully we have Nino a natural goal poacher, as the referees hand headed for his whistle Nino pounced after Manolo headed the ball down, time seemed to stand still as the ball eeked its way across the goal line and the stadium heeved a collective sigh of relief.

As the dust settled and the other results came in the task ahead became clear. Xerez are virtually down, that leaves four teams, CDT, Malaga, Racing Santander, and Valladolid tied on 36 points and hoping to avoid the two remaining relegation slots. A point may well be enough at Valencia with Valladolid at Barcelona and Malaga at home to Real Madrid. The Great Escape will have to be achieved without Ayoze and Bertran, both suspended after picking up yellows. All roads lead to Valencia and hopefully a happy ending, it’s gonna be a real blockbuster.