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1-2: Late defeat at the Dani Jarque

RCD Espanyol fall to stoppage-time loss against CE Manresa

RCD Espanyol B fell to a 2-1 defeat in stoppage time to CE Manresa on Saturday.

Luis Blanco’s boys only needed a draw to secure their play-off spot at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque, with opponents Manresa only outside of the play-off spots on goal difference and in need of a victory for their promotion hopes.

Espanyol got off to a great start, taking the lead with ten minutes on the clock. Carlos Mangada’s corner was perfect for Juan Camilo Becerra to connect and bury his header into the bottom corner, giving the young pericos the advantage early on.

Though the hosts were in command they needed to be careful, and Javier Lancho came up to block a clever corner routine from Manresa. Abde Damar had a guilt-edge chance when he robbed the ball off the defender, but could not get his effort on target.

After Ángel Fortuño made a great save from Pau Darbra, Manresa were awarded a controversial penalty for a supposed handball by Abde. A second yellow saw the forward sent off, and Marc Martínez converted the subsequent spot kick to make it all square at half-time and Espanyol forced to play with 10 men in the second half.

Manresa had the momentum were quick to go for the lead, first Àlex Iglesias’ header coming off the inside of the post before Javi López’s header flashed wide.

Espanyol found themselves in a more difficult situation when goalscorer Becerra had to go off injured, even playing with nine men at one point with Javi Hernández receiving treatment for a blow.

The visitors were looking more likely to win in the second half, and in stoppage time they snatched the three points through Toni Larrosa. Espanyol were beaten right at the death by their play-off rivals, having to wait before they could confirm their top five finish and a trip to the play-offs.

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Match information

RCD Espanyol B: Fortuño, Casadesús, Omar, Lancho, Joan Puig, M. Carvalho (Pol Garcia 88’), Mangada (Tan 75’), Javi Hernández (Català 75’), Kenneth, Becerra (Nabil 65’)

CE Manresa: Óscar Pulido Dani Reina, Putxi, Moha, Álex Sánchez (Javi López 61’), Pau Darbra, Joel Priego (Noah 72’), Jaume Pascual, Àlex Iglesias, Marc Martínez (Toni Larrosa 72’), Toni Peris (Cuello 9’)

Referee: Daniel Clemente Manrique 

Goals: 1-0 Becerra 11’, 1-1 Marc Martínez (pen) 45+3’; 1-2 Toni Larrosa 90+2’

Bookings: Abde 37’, Joan Puig 43’; Marc Martínez 43’, Álex Sánchez 45+1’, Noah 82’

Red cards: Abde 45+1’

Attendance: Approx. 500