Mikel Arruabarrena scored the only goal of the game as Eibar moved six points clear of the relegation zone with a 1-0 victory over Malaga this evening.

Neither side managed to find their passing rhythm in the early stages as the flow of the game was affected by some sloppy play, but Malaga came close to breaking the deadlock when Recio curled an effort just past the post.

The hosts were left disappointed on the half-hour mark when they were denied a goal after Mikel Arruabarrena was adjudged to have been in an offside position in the box.

Carlos Kameni had denied Saul Berjon just moments before the disallowed goal, and the Malaga goalkeeper came to the rescue again later in the first half to tip over an effort from Javi Lara.

There was no stopping Arruabarrena after the break as he found the space to head Lara's corner past a helpless Kameni.

Malaga asked questions of the Eibar defence after falling behind, with Recio sending a 30-yard effort over before Nordin Amrabat struck a tame effort straight at Xabi Irureta.

Eibar could have extended their lead late on had Eneko Boveda not headed straight at Kameni, but they held on for the win to strike a blow to Malaga's hopes of playing European football next season.