Levante 2 - 2 Athletic Bilbao: Mikel San Jose equaliser leaves Levante on the brink of relegation

Posted Sunday, April 24, 2016 by PA

Levante are on the brink of relegation after throwing away a two-goal lead late on to draw 2-2 at home to Athletic Bilbao.

Victor Casadesus put the hosts in front after 13 minutes and Xabier Etxeita's own goal in the 67th looked to have sealed victory for the struggling Valencia club which would have boosted their chances of survival.

But a strike from Markel Susaeta pulled Athletic back into the game in the 88th minute, and Mikel San Jose stunned the home fans by levelling with a half volley in injury time.

Levante stay bottom of the table and are four points below 17th placed Granada, who play Celta Vigo on Monday.

Levante went into the game still licking their wounds from the 5-1 hammering they received at Granada on Thursday which also means the Andalusians have a superior head-to-head record, which would condemn Levante if the two teams finish the season with the same number of points.

They got off to a strong start against Athletic, however, Casadesus controlling a long ball on the chest before rounding goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz and slamming it into the net.

Giuseppe Rossi had a goal harshly ruled out for Levante early in the second half for offside but the hosts scored again regardless with the help of Etxeita, who turned the ball into his own net as he tried to clear a cross from Jose Luis Morales.

Susaeta ensured there was a tense finish by collecting a pass from Inaki Williams and drilling the ball in at the near post, and San Jose added another nail in Levante's coffin by meeting another cross from Williams.