A point on the road as Eibar bid farewell to LaLiga action for 2016
A Bebé strike salvaged a draw for an Eibar side that enjoyed a numerical advantage from the 26th minute
SD Eibar signed off from LaLiga action for the year with a 1-1 stalemate away at Leganés. Los Pepineros were forced to play with a one-man disadvantage from 26' after goalkeeper, Iago Herrerín, was handed his marching orders. The Armeros, however, failed to fully capitalise on this situation.
During the opening exchanges, both sides contrived to cancel each other out, but on 23 minutes the game tipped in the hosts' favour following a defensive lapse from Antonio Luna. The right-back's cushioned header back towards Yoel didn't have enough on it and an alert Miguel Ángel Guerrero stole in to round the Eibar custodian and slot the ball home.
Despite this sobering blow, Eibar produced a reaction and on 26' Herrerín floored Inui Takashi as he bore down on goal and the referee had no hesitation in dismissing the on-loan Athletic Club shotstopper.
Despite Eibar enjoying a numerical advantage, Leganés showed themselves to be a disciplined outfit, preventing the visitors from carving out any openings during the remainder of the first half.
After the restart, José Luis Mendilibar's charges pushed forward in search of an equaliser and fashioned several chances of note, with Gonzalo Escalante twice coming close and Rubén Peña narrowly failing to get his name on the scoresheet.
An Eibar equaliser did materialise on 75', when Bebé - who had only entered the fray in place of Inui minutes earlier - didn't think twice before unleashing a thunderous shot from outside the box and his deflected effort looped up and over Diego Barrios in the Leganés goal.
After having levelled, Eibar probed for a winner, but ultimately had to be satisfied with a point as they bode farewell to LaLiga for 2016.
At the final whistle, the Armeros headed over to show their appreciation to the strong army of travelling supporters. Eibar now sign off for the calendar year with Wednesday's Copa del Rey clash against Sporting Gijón at Ipurua.