Celta Vigo's Champions League aspirations suffered a fatal blow on Sunday after a stirring comeback at Real Sociedad resulted in a 2-2 draw.

The home side, who remain in relegation danger, stormed into a 2-0 lead through Xabi Prieto and and Morten Skoubo only for Celta to hit back with two goals either side of half-time from Fernando Baiano.

It was the second time in five days that Sociedad had squandered a two-goal advantage following the midweek stalemate with Cadiz.

There was no sign of a bad reaction to that setback when Sociedad took the lead in the seventh minute via a penalty.

Angel Lopez brought down on-loan winger Mark Gonzalez and Prieto converted from the spot, sending Celta keeper Jose Manuel Pinto the wrong way.

Celta felt the spot-kick award was harsh and substitute Jesus Perea took his protests too far and was sent off by referee David Fernandez Borbalan.

The visitors were struggling to find a foothold in the game and Skoubo ought to have made it 2-0 after 16 minutes but his shot was saved by Pinto.

Pinto was a busy man in the opening stages and his next involvement was to keep out John Viafara's shot.

Gonzalez has been a revelation at Sociedad since signing a temporary deal from Liverpool and the Chilean almost added to his burgeoning reputation after 19 minutes with a mazy dribble and shot which hit the post before bouncing to safety.

The rampant hosts came close again after 26 minutes, Skoubo seeing his shot saved by Pinto.

Celta finally mustered a decent chance on the half hour mark but Daniel De Ridder's shot was smuggled clear by the Sociedad backline.

Sociedad quickly regained the initiative, however, Alvaro Novo playing in Gonzalez only for his shot to be saved by Pinto.

The hosts' bright approach deserved further reward and the second goal duly arrived seven minutes before the break.

Skoubo found some space on the right side of the area and smashed a wonderful shot past the helpless Pinto.

Celta pulled one back in first half injury time, Baiano netting from the spot.

Baiano almost grabbed his second of the afternoon 10 minutes into the second half but his shot was kept out by Alberto Lopez in the Sociedad goal.

He was not to be denied though and Baiano made it 2-2 with a fine shot from the right side of the area.

Sociedad regrouped and dominated the rest of the contest.

Prieto, Gonzalez and Prieto again were denied by the excellence of Pinto and some resolute defending from the visitors.

The draw means Celta cannot now catch fourth-placed Osasuna as they are four points adrift of the Pamplona outfit with just one game remaining.