La Liga match report: Elche v Getafe

Getafe bolstered their hopes of securing their Primera Division status for next season after moving 10 points clear of the bottom three by edging to a 1-0 win at struggling Elche.

Fredy Hinestroza scored the only goal of the game with only five minutes remaining in a rare attack for Getafe, after the hosts had spurned a series of chances in the first half.

Their lack of urgency came back to haunt them, however, and they remain just three points clear of the drop zone.

After a sleepy opening, Vicente Guaita was the first to be called into action, with the Getafe goalkeeper keeping out Garry Rodrigues' free-kick, while Jonathas spurned a glorious chance after missing the target having worked his way into an excellent position.

At the other end, on-loan midfielder Hinestroza cut in from the left but his strike was straight at Elche custodian Przemyslaw Tyton.

Cristian Herrera volleyed over the bar while Elche's dominance continued with some fine build-up play ending with Faycal Fajr volleying against the upright with Guaita well beaten.

It was the best chance of the half but Getafe managed to go into the interval still level despite being largely outplayed in the opening 45 minutes.

Guaita was kept busy at the start of the second half as he had to tip over Domingo Cisma's header as Elche picked up where they left off.

Yet neither side took the initiative and just as it seemed the game would drift towards a goalless draw, the visitors stole a march to leave Elche counting the cost of their first-half profligacy.

Hinestroza leapt highest to head home from Pedro Leon's corner in the 85th minute and put Getafe well on the way to three points.

Pedro Leon then missed two excellent chances to double their lead in added-on time but it mattered little as Getafe held on.