The Basques went ahead through Ander Murillo early in the second half, but were pegged back by a Riki free-kick eight minutes later and are far from safe from the drop with just four league games remaining.

Deportivo started strongest and Uruguayan forward Fabian Estoyanoff was not far off target with a long-range effort after five minutes.

Athletic took a while to find their rhythm and created little of note until veteran attacker Joseba Etxeberria - returning after a bout of gastroenteritis- charged forward on 11 minutes, only to be dispossessed on the edge of the area by Argentinian defender Fabricio Coloccini.

But eight minutes later, the visitors then almost took the lead when Juan Rodriguez glanced a header just past Daniel Aranzubia's far post.

This seemed to spark Athletic into life and Etxeberria set up Ismael Urzaiz on 22 minutes, but the veteran striker delayed too long and could not get a shot on target.

The Basque side were beginning to control the game now and after winning their first corner on 35 minutes, came within a whisker of opening the scoring in their very next attack, but Urzaiz's effort was deflected just wide.

From the resulting corner, Andoni Iraola headed inches past the post as Athletic piled on the pressure.

But at the other end, Deportivo also wasted a good chance to go ahead when Javier Arizmendi crashed a header against the base of the post after Estoyanoff's cross on 39 minutes.

After the break, the home side began better and Urzaiz sent a diving header just over the bar on 54 minutes.

Two minutes later, Athletic went ahead.

Defender Murillo took advantage of a hesitant Deportivo rearguard to head home from a corner kick and seemingly ease Athletic's relegation worries.

However, the visitors were quickly back in the game when Riki equalised from a free-kick on 62 minutes.

The former Getafe striker smashed a brilliant curled effort past Aranzubia to put the Galicians level and score only his second goal of the season.

Athletic coach Jose Manuel Esnal then brought on Fran Yeste for Etxeberria and the newly-introduced forward had an almost immediate impact on the game.

Yeste's corner found the unmarked Luis Prieto at the far post, but the defender fired his effort well wide.

The visitors were then reduced to ten men on 78 minutes when full-back Joan Capdevilla was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Athletic almost took advantage of their extra man just two minutes later, but Urzaiz saw his header rebound off the post and into the arms of a grateful Dudu Aouate.

With their passionate fans behind them, the home side continued to pressure in the final ten minutes, but could not find a way past a stubborn Deportivo defence and had to be content with a point which leaves Athletic just four points above the drop zone.