RCD Mallorca missed their chance to go top of Spain's Primera División on Sunday as they were held 1-1 by Villarreal CF to end their club record run of seven straight wins.

Pandiani levels
With Real Sociedad drawing 0-0 with Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, Mallorca knew another win would give them first place, but they fell behind 22 minutes in to a Martín Palermo goal. In-form Mallorca striker Walter Pandiani kept up his scoring run with a 57th-minute equaliser, but his side could not fashion a winner and remain second, a point behind Real.

Mista takes two
Third-placed Valencia CF closed the gap on the top two with a 2-0 win at home to Real Valladolid. Mista scored on ten and 30 minutes to ensure the points for the title-holders, who open their UEFA Champions League second group stage campaign on Wednesday against AFC Ajax.

Solid performance
RC Celta de Vigo remained in the top six but dropped more home points in a 0-0 draw against lowly Club Atlético Osasuna. The visitors, who beat Valencia last week, put in a solid performance but remain third from bottom.

Recreativo move up
RC Recreativo de Huelva moved up from last place with a dramatic 2-1 win against Real Racing Club Santander. Racing were ahead on two minutes though Pablo Sierra but Alcocer Raúl Molina came off the bench with five minutes to go and scored twice to take Recreativo above RCD Espanyol, who took the lead against Athletic Club Bilbao but fell to a 4-1 defeat and had Roger sent off.

Contenders denied
Málaga CF were unable to overtake fourth-placed Real Madrid CF as they were held 0-0 by Deportivo Alavés, and Real Betis Balompié also spurned a chance to overtake the Champions league holders after losing 1-0 at Club Atlético de Madrid in the late game, the capital club up to fifth.