In normal times this 1-1 draw at relegation rivals Nastic would be a decent point but these are not normal times, CD Tenerife are plumeting towards relegation and wins are what’s needed. It was a better showing and ended the 5 game losing streak but the damage has been done progressively through the season.

We moan about decisions going against us and our luck but once again a red card was recinded in the week, this time Ricardo was cleared to play, Sicilia covered for Beranger at left back, his red stood, and Dubarbier returned in midfield. It could have been a disasterous start as goalie Sergio Aragoneses sliced a clearance but Bertran nipped in to mop up the loose ball. Tenerife looked fired up and eager to go for goal, Nino was sharp as always and even Natalio was getting in good positions. Kitoko emphasised the new spirit by stealing the ball off Nastic and setting Natalio (below)Â free but he blasted his shot wide.

Tenerife scored on the half hour with a clinical move, Ricardo won the ball in the air and nodded it on to Nino, the busy forward shrugged off 2 markers and tucked the ball wide of the keeper into the corner of the net. Things were looking encouraging, Dubarbier hooked a shot just over the bar and Nino forced a great save out of the home goalie. Just before half time Tenerife let in a sucker goal, Felipe placed his shot past Sergio after Ricardo and Prieto had both missed tackles on the supplier Alex it was a cruel blow after a tigerish first half display.

This Tenerife side doesn’t react well to setbacks and although they showed willing in the second half the spring in their step was missing and the old errors started to creep in. Campos had a free header just after the break but his soft shot went to Sergio. Coach Tapia wisely replaced Dubarbier after 54 minutes, he had a yellow card and was pushing his luck with some of his challenges. Campos put another shot over the Tenerife bar and Rey had quite a personal duel with Sergio, the Tenerife stopper kept the upper hand. It wouldn’t be a Tenerife match without a red card, Luna seems to attract bookings like a magnet but he can feel unlucky to be sent off as both his yellows came from innocent tackles where the opponent made a meal, or rather a banquet of them.

Tenerife still had some fight and Natalio could have done better when blasting high over the home bar. Igor came on to up some punch up front but maybe 18 minutes from the end was a bit late. Sergio was kept busy, Eloy brought the best out of him and there was a let off when Kitoko got himself into a right old mess and lost the ball, Rey couldn’t take advantage and saw his shot blaze wide. The Tenerife players frustration was clear to see as they trudged off. The spectre of relegation still looms large but at least the draw and performance might take some of the sting out of the fans anger when Tenerife play Huesca at home next Saturday.