C.D. Leganés share the points with S.D. Ponferradina (1-1) in their Butarque clash. Yuri led the Bercianos in front during the first 45', before Quintillà, with his first goal for the club, arrived just after the second kickoff to level it for Nafti's squad.
Yuri put Ponferradina in front by halftime
Leganés made three changes to the initial XI that started against Girona, bringing in Quintillà for a suspended Javi Hernández, Doukouré for an injured Luis Perea and Naim for Randjelović. The Pepineros came out swinging, with Arnaiz logging the first shot of the game with a headed effort on the end of Naim’s cross. Naim also tested the keeper directly in the 7’, with a left-footed kick that just edged wide of the net.
After the Berciano keeper rushed out of his box to clear the ball, Naim launched a shot from the middle of the pitch to try and catch Amir off guard; the keeper only just managed to tip the shot off the left post for a corner. Yuri, in the 28’, started to shift the momentum, but Leganés also missed a great chance when Amir came off his line again, but Borja Garcés and Naim could not work the ball into the net. For all Leganés’ attacking threat, in the 32’ Ponferradina took advantage of a lost ball to find a free Yuri at the back post to beat Riesgo to open the score at 0-1 before the halftime whistle blew.
Quintillà levels it for Leganés
No changes made during the break for Leganés, with the team still fighting to make good on their early approaches; Arnaiz's shot in the 49' disappointed by the side netting. In the 52', Lega found their equaliser: Palencia's ball into the box floating to area's edge, before Quintillà connected perfectly with his left foot to cannon the ball past Amir. The Ilerdense full back's first goal in blue and white was timely to even the score.
Mehdi Nafti began to make adjustments after the first hour, bringing on Randjelović and Bárcenas, back from injury, for Juan Muñoz and Borja Garcés, allowing José Arnaiz to occupy a more attacking role for the final 30'. Cissé came on to refresh the defense as Doukouré was brought off in the 72'.
Both teams unsuccessfully sought victory
Both clubs were keen to hit a definitive strike, with Nafti bolstering the team with reinforcements of Avilés and Diego García for Naim and José Arnaiz. Avilés had the clearest chance at the end for the Pepineros, but his 86' attempt was too high to be on target. A goal mouth scramble in the 90' left Ponferradina fuming at a missed opportunity, but the Blanquiazul back line held strong.
With the final whistle, Leganés take a point from the encounter: 22 in the table so far. The next league fixture takes place on Wednesday at 19:30 (CET) against Cultural Leonesa in the second elimination round of the Copa del Rey.
