Sevilla coach Manolo Jiminez prays for a goal [AFP]

Sevilla were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Deportivo Coruna in the Spanish Primera Division as they failed to trim the gap with third-placed Valencia to one point.

Defender Federico Fazio put the Andalusians ahead with a glancing header in the 21st minute at the Sanchez Pizjuan but Depor were level three minutes later when striker Adrian Lopez netted from an Andres Guardado cross.

Sevilla have 44 points from 26 matches and Valencia can go six clear with a win at second-placed Barcelona on Sunday.

Champions Barcelona are level on 62 points with leaders Real Madrid, who are top on goal difference.

Real, dumped out of the European Champions League at the last 16 stage by Lyon on Wednesday, visit relegation-threatened Real Valladolid in Sunday's late kickoff.

Woeful away

In other matches on Saturday, Real Mallorca's woeful away form continued when they lost 3-0 at Getafe.

The Balearic Islanders, who have won 11 in 12 at home but only two in 14 away, remain fifth on 43 points, one more than sixth-placed Depor and two ahead of Athletic Bilbao who are seventh after a 0-0 draw at Sporting Gijon.

Goals from Daniel Parejo and Miku and a Manu Del Moral penalty earned the points for Getafe, and Mallorca's Portuguese defender Nunes was dismissed for handling on the goalline, an incident that led to Moral's spot kick in the 85th minute.

Gijon goalkeeper Juan Pablo saved a 59th-minute penalty from Bilbao midfielder Igor Gabilondo to deny the Basque club all three points at a rain-lashed Molinon stadium.