The hosts began the game one place above the relegation zone but with their fate very much in their own hands, knowing that a victory would continue their 109-year stay in the top flight regardless of results elsewhere.

After dominating for large spells, Jose Manuel 'Mane' Esnal's men finally made the breakthrough when Jose Manuel Serrano turned the ball into his own net in the second period, while substitute Igor Gabilondo made sure of the win with a second after 77 minutes.

Athletic began at a sprightly pace and there were just four minutes on the clock when Joseba Etxeberria fired in a sighter from the edge of the Levante box that flew narrowly over the bar.

On the quarter-hour mark Javier Martinez Aginaga had a great opportunity from close range to ease the hosts' jitters but he flashed wide from just six yards.

Esnal's men continued to push against a Levante side struggling to find a rhythm in a match with little meaning for the Valencia-based club.

Just before the half-hour mark Ismael Urzaiz rose to head towards the Levante goal but visiting custodian Jose Molina gathered with ease.

Francisco Yeste was next to give Molina something to think about as he drilled the ball over the bar, while Levante's only chance of the half came after 36 minutes when Laurent Robert's 30-yard free-kick was parried to safety by Daniel Aranzubia.

Into the second period an increasingly edgy Athletic side continued their domination, with Urzaiz bringing a decent save from the busy Molina after 49 minutes.

Moments later the duo's personal duel continued, this time the veteran forward let fly from the edge of the box but the Levante stopper once again proved his equal with a top-drawer parry.

The hosts almost made the breakthrough with a header by Josu Sarriegi after 55 minutes that crashed against the Levante bar with Molina beaten, but Athletic did not have to wait too much longer for their luck to change.

Aritz Aduriz created the opening with some fine work down the left wing.

His low centre across the face of the Levante goal caused confusion in the visiting defence, and the ball eventually found its way into the back of the net via the boot of the unfortunate Serrano.

Buoyed by the goal, Athletic went in search of a second and almost came up trumps when Andoni Iraola let fly with an effort from 18 yards that went just wide of the right-hand post.

Molina denied Aduriz with another decent stop after 75 minutes, but two minutes later Athletic secured their Primera Liga status for yet another season when they bagged their second of the afternoon.

Etxeberria carved out the chance from the right wing, his accurate cross finding the head of Gabilondo, who found the net with an unerring header that triggered scenes of celebration among the Estadio San Mames faithful.