Quick-fire Recreativo earn 3-2 win at Athletic Bilbao

Three quick-fire goals inside the first 20 minutes earned basement club Recreativo Huelva a 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames in the Spanish first division on Saturday.

The Andalucians had to endure a nervous final quarter, though, after second-half strikes from Asier del Horno and Santi Ezquerro put the Basque side right back in the match.

Despite the win Lucas Alcaraz's side remain anchored to the bottom of the table, but have received a boost before their King's Cup semi-final, second-leg match against Osasuna next week.

Fellow strugglers Espanyol were also given a lift when first-half goals from striker Raul Tamudo and former Barcelona midfielder Oscar allowed them to claim their first win in five outings with a 2-0 victory over the out-of-form Real Mallorca at Montjuic.

Recreativo, who earned their first win in four games with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid last week got off to a flying start at San Mames.

Former youth Ignacio Benitez began the spree when he snapped up a rebound and slotted in with an angled shot on seven minutes and fellow forward Quique Romero extended Recreativo's lead soon after when he cracked home from close range.

Xisco completed Recre's dream start with a third on 19 minutes when he beat the offside trap to latch on to a fine lofted pass from Emilio Viqueira and guided a left-foot shot neatly past Aranzubia.

Bilbao recovered their nerve after the break and defender Del Horno pulled a goal back when he netted with a deflected shot on 59 minutes.

Ezquerro grabbed another with a fine header 18 minutes later, but Bilbao were reduced to 10 men when Del Horno was sent off for hitting out at defender Carlos Llorens and Recreativo managed to hold on for a valuable away win.