A spectacular late strike from on-loan midfielder Mark Gonzalez gave Real Sociedad  a 1-0 home win over Racing Santander which lifted the Basque side out of the relegation zone on Saturday.

Gonzalez, who joined from Liverpool in January, cracked in a superb left-foot volley from 20 metres with 15 minutes to go.

The victory pushed Sociedad up to 14th with 35 points from 33 games, one ahead of Racing, Espanyol and Real Mallorca and two clear of the drop zone.

The goal was the only bright moment in a dour encounter in which nerves got the better of two struggling sides.

The South African-born Chile international has scored four goals since joining Sociedad following a nine-month injury absence caused by a knee ligament injury.

Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez made it clear earlier this week he wants the winger to rejoin his club at the end of the season.

Mallorca missed a chance to ease their relegation worries after a 0-0 draw at home to Alaves, who replaced Sociedad in the drop zone on 33 points.

Alaves had the better of the first half and should have taken the lead when striker Rodolfo Bodipo was put clear and he failed to beat Mallorca keeper Toni Prats.

Mallorca took control in the second period but they were unable to break down a dogged Alaves defence, midfielder Guillermo Pereyra planting a looping header on to the bar from their best chance of the match.

Deportivo Coruna and Sevilla meet in Saturday's late match as the two sides look to strengthen their bids for a place in Europe next season.