Hercules CF 2 : 2 Mallorca - Hercules down after draw

Posted Wednesday, May 11, 2011 by PA

Hercules were relegated from La Liga after throwing away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Mallorca.

The Alicante-based side started the day on 33 points and needed a win to stay within reach of 18th-placed Getafe, but were unable to hang on to their advantage after a first-half brace from Sendoa Agirre.

Late strikes from Victor Casadesus and Pierre Webo rescued a point for Mallorca, who now look safe, and saw the home side relegated as they are now six points behind Getafe with two games remaining - and have an inferior head-to-head record in games against the Madrid-based side.

Things had earlier looked promising as Hercules dominated early on and after David Trezeguet had missed a decent early chance, Sendoa fired the home side in front when he latched on to Kiko's pass and beat German Lux with a neat finish.

And the same combination made it 2-0 four minutes before the break as Sendoa volleyed home Kiko's cross.

The hosts looked in a strong position and Trezeguet came within inches of a third midway through the second half.

The Frenchman was left to rue his miss as Victor and then Webo levelled the scores with two goals in the space of four minutes.

Victor finished after Michael Pereira's shot was blocked, in what was the visitors' first real chance of the game.

And moments later, the second goal arrived as Webo caught the Hercules defence unawares as he ran on to a pass from deep to beat Hercules keeper Piet Velthuizen with a neat lob.

Hercules threw men forward after that and Trezeguet came close to a precious winner, but the goal remained elusive and Hercules return to the Segunda Division following a season which had promised so much more.

Mallorca, meanwhile, are in 11th with 44 points, five more than 18th-placed Zaragoza.