The home side dominated proceedings at the Estadio Nuevo Colombino, but were unable to find the breakthrough. They laid laid siege to the visitors' goal for most of the game, particularly after the dismissal of Fernando Amorebieta shortly after the hour mark but could not turn their relentless pressure into a goal.

The result leaves them in seventh spot, one point ahead of fellow European hopefuls Getafe and Racing Santander but still a place behind Atletico Madrid, who occupy the last UEFA Cup spot.

But the point could prove crucial in Bilbao's quest for survival, lifting them three points clear of the relegation zone, although they did drop a place to 17th because of Levante's win over Gimnastic Tarragona.

Recre tested Bilbao goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia inside the first minute with Ikechukwu Uche's shot from 12 yards and the stopper was kept busy for the rest of the game as the hosts did everything but score.

Florent Sinama Pongolle's effort from the left side of the area rattled the crossbar after 21 minutes, and six minutes later Rafael Barber's inswinging corner was hacked clear by Josu Sarriegi.

Uche called Aranzubia into action again in the 21st minute with a shot from a tight angle, but the keeper did well to cling onto his effort.

Bilbao's first sight of goal came in the 26th minute when Ander Murillo tried his luck from 25 yards, but saw the ball fly wide of the left post.

The home side began the second half as explosively as they had the first, Sinama Pongolle looking to mark making his loan deal from Liverpool permanent with a goal, but his shot from the edge of the box was held by Aranzubia.

And the keeper continued to frustrate Recreativo, denying Uche for the third time in the match in the 57th minute.

Bilbao's task was made harder when defender Amorebieta was shown the red card for violent conduct in the 67th minute, but Aranzubia continued to come out on top in his personal duel with Uche, punching away his shot from the left of the area.

And Recreativo knew their luck was out when they hit the woodwork for the second time, Laurentiu Rosu crashing the ball against the bar from just outside the box.

Bilbao even had a chance to snatch all three points a minute from time when Igor Gabilondo fired over the bar from six yards out, but a winner for the away side would have been thoroughly undeserved.