Javad Nekounam's first-half header earned condemned Real Zaragoza to a rare home defeat to Osasuna.

Nekounam got on the end of fellow Iranian Masoud Shojaei's 27th-minute free-kick to nod home what would prove to be the only goal of an entertaining game at La Romareda.

Zaragoza will have felt in fairly confident mood heading into the match as, despite a dismal away record that had seen them take two points from a possible 18 this term, they have boasted a fine record in front of their own fans in recent times.

Last season Zaragoza won 15 times and lost just once in 21 games at La Romareda as they clinched promotion from the Segunda Division, and in five previous home games this season they had won three and only lost once.

However, it was to be a day of disappointment for the home fans today, although they certainly got their money's worth in terms of goalmouth action.

In the first 10 minutes alone, Zaragoza goalkeeper Javier Lopez Vallejo was called upon to produce two brilliant saves to deny Carlos Aranda and Juanfran.

Both Osasuna players looked certain to score, but Lopez Vallejo dived to his left to keep out Aranda's close-range header before denying Juanfran with his feet when one on one.

It was then Zaragoza's turn to enjoy a purple patch, with Angel Lafita featuring heavily as the hosts had four quick efforts on goal.

Lafita saw a header saved by Ricardo before putting two further efforts narrowly wide, while Leo Ponzio sent a rising shot not too far over the Osasuna crossbar following a good run.

It would be Osasuna who would get their noses in front though, thanks to Nekounam.

Massoud's deep free-kick from near the right touchline proved perfect for his countryman Nekounam, who escaped his marker before sending a header back across Lopez Vallejo and just inside the far post.

That would prove to be the decisive incident of the match, but the chances did not stop there and Zaragoza came within inches of levelling in the 35th minute when Abel Aguilar hit the woodwork with a header at the far post.

The second half continued to see both sides pushing forward in search of more goals, but while there were plenty of efforts, most of them proved to be more dangerous for the people in the crowd rather than the respective goalkeepers.

Zaragoza substitute Ewerthon set the tone for some indifferent shooting when he blazed over a decent opening just two minutes after coming on at the break.

The Brazilian also put another good chance wide of the far post after skipping past Sergio Fernandez on the edge of the Osasuna box.

Ponzio also sent an effort wide while Lafita's personal quest to find the back of the net continued with one shot that went over and another that was saved down to his left by Ricardo.

For Osasuna, Nekounam flashed a shot not far wide of the post, but the Pamplona-based side will not be too concerned by that as they held on for a victory that provisionally lifted them up to 10th - three points above 14th-placed Zaragoza.