Youssef En-Nesyri's goal minutes before half-time gave Leganes a 1-0 victory over Alaves to lift the home side out of the La Liga relegation zone.
The win boosts Leganes to 16th place, with 13 points from 13 matches, though 17th placed Athletic have 11 points and a game in hand, reports Efe news.
Alaves, who have amassed 23 points in 13 matches, remain fourth, but Espanyol and Real Madrid are both within 3 points of the Basque club and will be in action this weekend.
The hosts, with a history of starting the season in poor form, approached Friday night's match at Butarque stadium in suburban Madrid almost as if it were a final, facing an Alaves team whose last win here was in the 20th century.
Both squads were cautious in the early going on a chilly night, seemingly more focused on not making a mistake than on creating chances.
Leganes claimed the initiative as the minutes passed, led up front by En-Nesyri and Guido Carrillo, who each forced a save from visiting goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco.
Dimitrios Siovas fired over the cross-bar on another chance for Leganes before En-Nesyri broke the deadlock with a goal in the 42nd minute.
Alaves showed more ambition in the second half, yet Leganes were comfortable defending and took all three points.
--IANS
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