Pablo Torre scored our only goal as we fell to a 2-1 defeat against our relegation rivals Elche CF on a tough afternoon at the Estadio Martínez Valero.
Martin Demichelis handed Zito Luvombo his first start since his January loan move to the club while Antonio Sanchez replaced Pablo Maffeo at right back.
Opportunities were limited in a first half that produced little in the final third as Leo Roman was forced into a routine stop to deny German Valera in what was one of few highlights.
Vedat Muriqi’s half chance would be our only sight of goal as we headed into the break goalless.
The second half would read from a different script to the first 45 minutes as Pablo Torre opened the scoring with a driven effort from the edge of the box in the 58th minute.
The hosts would draw level four minutes as a poor clearance from Omar Mascarell landed at the feet of Rafa Mir who made no mistake from close range.
Tete Morente scored the decisive goal in the 71st minute when he met Aleix Febas’ clipped cross with a powerful header.
We desperately fought to pull a goal back in the closing stages of the game but we were unable to find the back of the net as we headed back to the island empty handed.
Line-ups:
Elche CF: Dituro; Affengruber, Chust, Bigas; Morente, Aguado (Redondo, 79'), Diang (Villar, 64'), Febas, Germán Valera (Pedrosa, 95'); Rafa Mir (Sangaré, 80') and Álvaro Rodríguez (Pétrot, 95').
RCD Mallorca: Leo Román; Antonio Sánchez (Kalumba, 89'), Valjent, Raíllo, Lato; Samu Costa, Omar Mascarell, Pablo Torre (Sergi Darder, 65'); Luvumbo (Morlanes, 65'), Mateo Joseph and Vedat Muriqi.
Goals: Pablo Torre (min. 58), Rafa Mir (min. 62) and Tete Morente (min. 71)
