With 10 minutes left to play between Malaga and Valencia, the hosts were ahead by the odd goal and looking likely to pick up a surprise victory against Los Che, but that was before an astonishing late collapse saw the visitors win 2-1.
The games are starting to run out for Los Boquerones who find themselves seven points adrift of safety, which could rise to 10 if Levante win at Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Brown Ideye had given Malaga a deserved lead in the 27th minute, and no matter how hard Marcelino’s side were knocking at the door, they were unable to penetrate a stubborn defence.
The introductions of Simone Zaza and Rodrigo Moreno on the hour swung the pendulum Valencia’s way, but it would take until the 80th minute for the visitors to draw level, thanks to Francis Coquelin’s header.
Los Che came swarming forward and on 84 minutes Ignasi Miquel conceded a penalty and got himself a second yellow card for his troubles.
The resulting penalty was tucked away by Dani Parejo to hand Valencia the three points.
