Goals from Javi Guerra and Oscar Gonzalez either side of the break have helped Real Valladolid to a 2-0 win over Real Zaragoza at the Estadio Nuevo Jose Zorilla.
The result sees Miroslav Dukic's men pull six points clear of their opponents in the La Liga table, and go within three of a Europa League spot.
The first goal came after 12 minutes, when Guerra found the top corner of the net following Oscar's corner.
Pucela managed to restrict the visitors to speculative long-range efforts and went into the half-time break leading.
The hosts carved out a few decent opportunities to double their lead before doing so with 16 minutes remaining. Carlos Pena found Oscar inside the box, and he fired beyond Roberto Gago with his left foot.
That is the way it stayed until the final whistle, condemning Manolo Jimenez's men to their third defeat on the spin.
Michael Penkman
