Racing's eight-match unbeaten streak came to an end last weekend when they were humbled 4-2 at fellow high-flyers Recreativo Huelva - just their second defeat in 14 matches.

The Cantabrian side needed to get back to winning ways but they were unable to overcome the stubborn resistance of a mid-table Deportivo side who had little to play for.

The closest either side came to taking all three points was when Depor's Ivan Riki hit the bar five minutes into the second half.

And it was the visitors who created the first chance of the game, Fabian Estoyanoff firing wide from the edge of the area.

Racing replied with Pedro Munitis hitting a 20-yard free-kick into the Depor wall.

Munitis' effort signified a shift in momentum and Racing came close again in the ninth minute when a shot from giant Serbian Nikola Zigic flashed narrowly over the bar.

Depor rode the storm and countered with Riki's shot being saved by Racing keeper Antonio Tono and Javier Arizmendi's drive bravely blocked by home defender Ezequiel Garay.

Tono was certainly the busier of the two keepers in the first half and he had to be alert once more after 32 minutes to keep out Juan Rodriguez's header.

Rodriguez came close once more shortly after the half-hour mark with a shot which flew just to the right of goal.

Riki opened the second half by cracking an effort against the woodwork from 18 yards.

It was a warning to Racing and they took note by surging forward in search of the opener.

Zigic has been their stand-out performer this season, to the point where it has been mooted he will be a summer target for Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

And the former Red Star Belgrade man, who stands 6ft 8in tall, was again proving a menace.

He used his stature to good effect after 62 minutes by leaping high to get in a header on goal which forced Depor keeper Dudu Aouate to punch acrobatically clear.

Zigic again came close with 13 minutes to go, firing in a shot from the right side of the penalty area which flew just wide.

It was Deportivo who finished the stronger though.

Brazilian defender Filipe shot wide with eight minutes to go while Julian De Guzman also came close with a shot from the edge of the area which had Tono Scrambling.