Rayo Vallecano have picked up three vital points in their fight against relegation from La Liga with an unexpected 3-2 win over Real Sociedad.

The visitors made a perfect start to the match, taking the lead after just four minutes when Joaquin Larrivey converted from the spot after Mikel Gonzalez had conceded a penalty.

They were ahead for just two minutes, however, as Sociedad responded with an equaliser when Inigo Martinez rose highest to power a header beyond the keeper from Ruben Pardo's cross.

The hosts almost completed a turnaround in the 22nd minute when Carlos Vela worked some shooting space inside the box, only to flash his effort narrowly wide of the post.

Vela had another glorious chance to give his side the lead shortly after the half-hour mark, but he couldn't keep his effort from the edge of the six-yard box down, blazing it just over the bar.

Sociedad did eventually take the lead right on the stroke of half time as a rebound inside the box fell to Pardo, who made no mistake with his finish into the bottom left corner.

Rayo began the second half as impressively as they did the first, however, levelling things up just two minutes after the restart when Alberto Bueno slotted home a rebound.

Bueno almost got a second goal in the 65th minute when he shot from the edge of the box, but Zubikarai was equal to his effort.

They did regain the lead just two minutes later, however, as Ruben Rochina latched onto a fine pass before slotting home to make it 3-2 to the visitors.

Rayo managed to hold on to their lead in the closing stages to move level on points with 17th-placed Real Valladolid in the table.