Real Sociedad travelled to Malaga on Saturday looking to record their fourth successive La Liga victory.
Malaga just had the better of the first 45 minutes, but could not make the breakthrough as the opening half ended goalless.
The hosts finally broke the deadlock after 55 minutes when Recio headed home from close range. Sociedad were level after 84 minutes, however, when Ruben Pardo converted from outside the box.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
8.31pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from La Rosaleda as Malaga welcome Real Sociedad. Malaga will be keen to close the gap on sixth-place Villarreal tonight, but David Moyes's Sociedad team are very much on the up having won four of their last five games in the league.
8.32pmFirst and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
8.34pmTEAMS:
MALAGA: Kameni; Sanchez, Rosales, Welligton, Boka; Recio, Darder; Castillejo, Samuel, Amrabat; Juanmi
SOCIEDAD: Rulli; Zaldua, Ansotegi, Inigo, Yuri; Bergara, Granero; Canales, Prieto, Castro; Agirretxe
8.37pmSo there we have it. Nordin Amrabat returns to the Malaga XI this evening, with the Turkish international starting in what is an exciting forward-line. Juanmi plays fresh from his Spain debut last week, while Samu Castillejo and Samuel are also given spots in the team. Javi Garcia remains on the bench.
8.40pmSociedad boss David Moyes, meanwhile, has once again set up his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Imanol Agirretxe leading the line at the expense of Carlos Vela, who is still out injured. Chory Castro is also given a spot in the XI, while Ion Ansotegi will start alongside Inigo Martinez at centre-back.
8.43pmIn terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Sociedad have won three of the last five games, losing just once in the process. Sociedad have also only lost on one of their last eight league trips to La Rosaleda, winning six times. That said, the reverse match at the Anoeta earlier this season ended in a 1-0 Malaga win, which incidentally brought about the sacking of then Sociedad boss Jagoba Arrasate. So, in a roundabout way, David Moyes has Malaga to thank for helping him secure a job in La Liga.
8.46pmAll in all, it has been a strong season for Malaga. They have taken 44 points from their 28 league games, with that run of form leaving them seventh – five points clear of eighth-place Athletic Bilbao and just five points off sixth-place Villarreal. A top-six finish this term would be a serious success for Javi Gracia.
8.49pmThat said, Malaga's form in recent weeks has been a bit hit-and-miss. They have won two and lost two of their last four games and were beaten 1-0 at Rayo Vallecano last time out. Malaga's away form has also been quite disappointing – losing seven of their 14 games, but they have been really strong on their own patch – winning eight of their 14 games and losing just three times in the process.
8.52pmSociedad, however, will enter this game full of confidence. Moyes's side have won four of their last five in the league and indeed won three consecutive league matches for the first time since January 2014. That run of form has moved the Basque outfit into ninth position – a far cry from their struggles in the early part of the campaign. Now, Sociedad are very much looking up the table rather than down.
8.55pmSociedad, however, have been really poor on the road this season. They did not record their first away league win of the season until March 16, when they claimed all the points at Getafe. Overall, they have drawn six and lost six of their 13 league games on the road and scored just nine times. That said, the Basque club have been pretty strong at home – winning eight of their 15 league games.
8.58pmPREDICTION! This is a really difficult one to call. Malaga will enter as the slight favourites, but Sociedad are in excellent form at the moment. I am going to sit on the fence somewhat and back a 1-1 draw.
0 minHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Let's hope for an entertaining game at La Rosaleda. It is the away side that get the first 45 minutes underway here.
2 minAs expected, there is a strong atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. Malaga have brought the fans back with some excellent football this season. The home side have started on the front foot, with Sanchez already driving down the right. Sociedad might have to be patient for long spells tonight.
4 minMalaga continue to force the issue in the opening minutes here, with Amrabat causing problems in a central area. Sociedad are just struggling to make their presence known at the moment.
6 minMalaga threaten with a couple of dangerous corners, but Sociedad manage to clear down-field, with Kameni forced to retreat into his own box. No chances to speak of in the opening six minutes.
8 minMalaga's work-rate is absolutely infectious at the moment as they crowd Sociedad out of the ball in a deep area before breaking, but Juanmi cannot slide a pass into Amrabat. When this Malaga team get going, they are very enjoyable to watch. Still goalless here, but it has been entertaining.
10 minHalf-chance for the home side as Darder finds space outside the box before firing one towards the top corner, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar. Malaga remain the more likely.
12 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Malaga have the ball in the back of the net as Juanmi converts from close range, but the forward is penalised for offside. It was just about the correct decision.
14 minSociedad just cannot get in the game at the moment as Malaga continue to force the issue. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be absolutely vital in this one.
16 minThe referee has a been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments following a number of late challenges. It has become a little scrappy as Sociedad frustrate the home team.
19 minCHANCE! First sign of Sociedad as an attacking threat as Zaldua rides a couple of challenges before firing one towards the bottom corner, but it is deflected for a corner. Much better!
21 minMalaga are winning the midfield battle at the moment as Recio and Darder continue to drive forward, but Sociedad have managed to close the door time and time again in the opening 21 minutes. The visitors have a half-chance of their own when Castro delivers, but Agirretxe cannot make contact.
23 minSociedad are just starting to make their mark in this match as they force a couple of free kicks in advanced areas, but the final ball from both teams has been a little disappointing thus far.
25 minThe referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of minutes, with both sides guilty of committing late challenges. It has become a little untidy in recent moments!
27 minHalf-chance for the home side as Rosales delivers a super ball into Juanmi, but the Spaniard is forced to move away from goal and Sociedad manage to partially clear. The pressure continues as Malaga force a corner, but Samuel Garcia brings a smart save from Rulli. Sociedad break down the other end moments later, but Canales's effort is wide of the post. End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes.
29 minSociedad have another half-chance as Granero finds space just outside the Malaga box, but his low effort is wide of the post. The Spanish midfielder really should have done better from that position.
30 minIt has all become very frantic in the last five minutes or so, with both teams committing numbers in the final third. Amrabat attempts to deliver a cross towards Juanmi, but Rulli is on hand to collect.
33 minMalaga continue to deliver crosses from wide areas, but both Ansotegi and Inigo Martinez have been strong aerially for the visitors thus far. Still goalless with 33 minutes on the clock in Malaga.
35 minJust a reminder that Sociedad are currently on a three-game winning run in the league and have shown their ability to dig out results in recent weeks. It would not be a surprise if they soaked up the pressure before hitting Malaga on the break here. Little over 10 minutes of the first period to play.
37 minThere has still not been a single yellow card this evening, but there have been a number of crunching challenges! The first player to be carded will be the fall-guy for a number of late tackles.
40 minMalaga are still the better team, but Sociedad are not overly concerned at the back as Inigo Martinez clears another cross from the right. it has been a frustrating first period for the hosts thus far.
42 minHalf-chance for Malaga as Samuel Garcia delivers another super cross from the right, but Ansotegi manages to head clear under pressure from two attackers. Excellent defending from the centre-back.
43 minBOOKING! Bergara (Sociedad) is booked for a late challenge on Amrabat.
44 minThat tackle from Bergara was far from the worst challenge we have seen this half, but the fouls had been building and the Sociedad midfielder is the fall-guy. Still goalless as we approach the break.
45 minSAVE! Sociedad come close to taking the lead as Agirretxe capitalises on some poor Malaga defending before firing one towards the bottom corner, but Kameni is across to make the save.
45 min+1HALF-TIME: Malaga 0-0 Sociedad
9.47pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Both have had opportunities to break the deadlock, but poor finishing has contributed to a goalless half.
9.52pmSTATS! Malaga have had more of the ball with 58% possession, while they have had four attempts, just one of which has been on target. Sociedad, meanwhile, have hit the target twice from their six attempts. There has been just the one booking, with Bergara carded late in the half for Sociedad.
9.57pmBENCH WATCH! Malaga have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Horta, Duda, Alberto and Guerra all capable of making a difference. Sociedad boss Moyes, meanwhile, has options in the shape of Finnbogason, Ruben Pardo and fit-again David Zurutuza.
46 minHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a breakthrough at La Rosaleda? It is the away side that get the second 45 minutes underway.
47 minNo changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage of events. However, I suspect that alterations will occur as the second period gathers pace in Malaga.
47 minCHANCE! Super chance for Malaga to break the deadlock as Castillejo delivers a cross onto the head of Juanmi, but his effort is deflected behind for a corner. Unlucky there!
49 minMalaga have made the better start to the second period, with Samuel Garcia also trying his luck from outside the box, but it is a fairly routine save for Rulli. Sociedad really need to wake up here.
51 minYou just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this type of game. It seems the type of evening where one goal would be enough to claim all the points in Malaga.
52 minMalaga continue to threaten as Rosales breaks into the Sociedad box, but his cross is deflected behind for a corner, which Sociedad also manage to clear. Desperate defending from the visitors here.
54 minAmrabat is causing Sociedad all sorts of problems this evening as the Turk continues to operate in a deeper area behind Juanmi. The home side deliver a couple more crosses, but Sociedad are fairly comfortable in dealing with the danger. It has been all Malaga in this second period thus far.
55 minDarder lines one up from outside the box, but his effort is high and wide.
55 minBOOKING! Inigo Martinez (Sociedad) is booked for pulling Amrabat to the ground.
55 minGOAL! Malaga 1-0 Sociedad (Recio)
56 minMalaga finally make the breakthrough with 55 minutes on the clock as Recio heads home a super free kick from Castillejo. The midfielder looked a touch offside, but the flag stayed down!
57 minReplays have confirmed that Recio was ONSIDE when the ball was played. Great header.
59 minSociedad need to find a response from somewhere, but they are really struggling at the moment as Malaga continue to threaten in the final third. Little over 30 minutes remaining here.
61 minCHANCE! Malaga come close to scoring a second as Samuel Garcia feeds a super pass into Darder, who attempts to beat Rulli at his near post, but the stopper makes a strong save.
61 minCHANCE! Oh my word! Sociedad are straight down the other end on the counter, but Castro's touch inside the box is too strong and Kameni comes to collect. What an opportunity there!
62 minSUB! Malaga make their first change as Horta replaces Samuel Garcia.
64 minDarder again tries his luck for the home side after finding space outside the box, but his effort is straight at the Sociedad goalkeeper. Well, this game has livened up in the second period here!
66 minThere is still more than enough time for Sociedad to respond here and the Malaga goal has lifted the performance of the visitors. I would be surprised if we had seen the end of the scoring here.
66 minBOOKING! Sanchez (Malaga) is booked for pushing Agirretxe to the ground.
66 minSUBS! Sociedad make a double change as Pardo and Hervias replace Canales and Granero.
68 minSAVE! Boka comes close to scoring a second for Malaga as he hammers one from outside the box following a short corner, but Rulli is on hand to make a wonderful one-handed save.
70 min
1- Malaga have only lost one point with a goal conceded in the second-half all season; a league-low figure. Robust.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 4, 201571 minHalf-chance for Sociedad as Pardo delivers a cross towards Agirretxe, but the forward cannot flick a pass towards Hervias and Malaga manage to clear. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining here.
71 minBOOKING! Ansotegi (Sociedad) is booked for bringing Amrabat to the ground.
73 minYou just get the feeling that there is something in this game for Sociedad as they continue to commit more and more bodies in the final third. There is still plenty of time remaining at La Rosaleda.
74 minSUB! Malaga make their second change as Duda replaces Juanmi.
76 minNot too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but the game is still flowing from end-to-end in Malaga. Is there to be a late sting in the tail as we approach full-time?
76 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Malaga have the ball in the back of the net as Amrabat converts from close range, but the attacker was in an offside position. Sociedad remain just one goal behind.
77 minSUB! Sociedad make their third and final change as Finnbogason replaces Castro.
79 minLittle over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Malaga still lead courtesy of that Recio header early in the second half. It is the home side on the attack with 79 minutes on the clock here.
80 minBOOKING! Castillejo (Malaga) is booked for bringing Zaldua to the ground.
82 minAmrabat remains a menace for the home side as he drives through a host of challenges before sliding a pass into Horta, but the attacker cannot fashion a shooting chance. Sociedad break down the other end moments later and force a corner, but once again the hosts manage to clear the danger.
83 minGOAL! Malaga 1-1 Sociedad (Pardo)
84 minOh my word what a goal! Sociedad level with 83 minutes on the clock as Pardo angles one into the bottom corner from outside the box. Super, super strike from the substitute!
86 minMalaga call for handball following a mix-up inside the Sociedad box, but the referee is not interested. The home side are really pressing as we enter the final five minutes at La Rosaleda.
87 minHalf-chance for Sociedad this time as Zaldua cuts inside before curling one towards goal, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Both teams are going for a winner here!
87 minBOOKING! Prieto (Sociedad) is booked for a late challenge on Castillejo.
89 minIt appears that Sociedad are going to continue their fine run of form as the clock continues to tick on. Malaga will feel that they should already have been out of sight in this match.
90 minSUB! Malaga make their third and final change as Guerra replaces Amrabat.
90 min+1The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes here.
90 min+2Sociedad are really pressing for a winner here as they force two corners in quick succession. Can Moyes's side complete the turnaround in the latter stages? It would be some blow to Malaga.
90 min+2BOOKING! Weligton (Malaga) is booked for dissent.
90 min+2BOOKING! Boka (Malaga) also picks up a booking.
90 min+3It is Sociedad that are pressing for a winner here, with Malaga just about holding on.
90 min+4BOOKING! Pardo (Sociedad) is booked for time-wasting.
90 min+5Rulli comes to collect a deep free kick from Duda and that should be that.
90 min+5FULL-TIME: Malaga 1-1 Sociedad
10.52pmSo there we have it. Sociedad continue their fine run of form with a point at Malaga, who will feel that they should have recorded all three points. Thanks for joining Sports Mole. Good evening!
