Elche have beaten Real Betis 2-1 at the Estadio Benito Villamarin to record their third straight win in La Liga and move into the top half of the table.

Fran Escriba's men had to play the second half a man down after Domingo Cisma saw red almost immediately after the break, but Los Verdiblancos could not turn the game around, meaning that their sluggish start to the campaign has continued.

Los Franjiverdes went ahead when Manu del Moral powered home a header from Cisma's cross in the 29th minute, and their lead was doubled by a low drive from Fidel just four minutes later.

Jorge Molina headed Salva Sevilla's free kick beyond Manu to get the hosts back in the game before half time, although replays showed that he was in an offside position.

It was an open game in the second half as Betis poured forward and Elche played on the counter.

Despite great opportunities falling to Molina and Juan Carlos, the home side still found themselves trailing as they entered the last few minutes.

Paulao thought that he had rescued a point at the death only to see his thumping header come back off the post, which was the last bit of action in Andalusia.