Real Betis came from two goals to pull 2-2 against Rayo Vallecano, which means that Los Franjirrojos did not win to win eight of the 12 home LABERA matches in which they were the first to score this season.
There was a small delay to start because of a problem with the goal of Augusto Batalla, but neither teams wasted at any time to be claimed in an essential competition for their respective European ambitions.
Pedro Diaz led the search of Los Franjirrojos to an opener, although he sent one wild effort off-target and saw two other attempts blocked in the quarter.
Abde Ezzalzouli worked Batalla with a speculative attack in the 20th minute, but the first blow to both sides was Youssouf Sabaly who had hurt in early stages shortly after his shoulder.
Antony and Cucho Hernandez then each shot a shot off-target before Isco's free kick was deflected by Rayo's Wall.
After the pressure of Los Verdiblancos had overcome, the hosts continued in the 38th minute when Adrian could only give Diaz's shameful attack on the bar and Jorge followed the Frutos to go home the rebound.
No follow-up was needed for a new striking effort in the last seconds of the first half, while Florian Lejeune immediately looked the bottom corner from a free kick.
The joy of Lejeune, however, lasted not long after the restart, when Hernandez struck himself from the middle behind before he painfully sent his shot out of the range of Batalla after six second half minutes.
Aitor Ribal then transferred a shot with Los Verdiblancos that continued to show intention, and the struggles of Lejeune went on while he polluted Abde to admit a penalty that is clinically converted.
Rayo reacted well, but Diaz was thwarted by Marc Bartra and Pablo Fornals, shortly before Adrian ran out well to stop Alvaro Garcia's attempt and to parry the driven shot by Unai Lopez.
There was another delay too late due to an incident in the stands, and neither teams could find a winner after the game resumed.
As a result, Betis does not leave a win for the third consecutive game in all competitions, but at least maintain the faint hope of UEFA Champions League football while they are five points behind Villarreal.
They have also refused Rayo a third consecutive victory, which means that Los Franjirrojos only holds on to the eighth place thanks to their target difference.
Key Match Statsopta by StatsPerform
Flash score Man of the match: Cucho Hernandez (Real Betis)
View all match statistics with flash score.