Fernando Llorente scored twice as Athletic Bilbao came from behind to see off Xerez at San Mames.

Despite trailing to Iker Muniain's early goal, the Primera Division's bottom side responded valiantly to take a half-time lead thanks to strikes from Vicente Moreno and Mario Bermejo.

But Spain forward Llorente brought Athletic back on level terms before hitting the winner four minutes from time to snatch the points for the home side.

Defeat leaves Xerez six points adrift at the foot of the table, while Athletic are now just two points off the European places.

Athletic came into the match on the back of two successive defeats, but were on the scoreboard with less than two minutes on the clock.

Xerez's defenders were still organising themselves when Gaizka Toquero raced down the right before flashing in a cross which was headed in by Muniain from a few yards out.

To their credit, the visitors quickly recovered from the blow and Bermejo gave Gorka Iraizoz something to think about with a ninth-minute lob which was tipped over the bar by the Athletic goalkeeper.

A minute later Iraizoz was picking the ball out of the back of the net having been beaten by a well-struck volley from Moreno after Jose Manuel Casado's cross in the area.

The stage had been set for an open clash and Athletic had the next chance through Pablo Orbaiz, whose free-kick from the left wing was parried clear by Brito Renan in the Xerez goal.

Figueroa Momo responded for the visitors with a left-footed strike from 25 yards which missed the right post.

But Xerez found themselves ahead five minutes before the interval thanks to Bermejo, the striker running onto a pass from Carlos Calvo before chipping Iraizoz from 10 yards out.

Sidi Keita could have added another for the basement side before the end of the half but his drilled effort from just outside the area fell narrowly wide.

Athletic came out fighting after the restart and Carlos Gurpegi caused problems for the opposition with a 25-yard power drive which whizzed past the left post.

Keita responded with a strike from distance which flew high and wide, while Bermejo carved out an opportunity with his left foot which he curled round the upright.

Renan was served a warning at the other end of the pitch by a header from Llorente which warmed the palms of the Xerez goalkeeper.

The Spain international fared much better with his next header though, picking out the top right corner after 64 minutes to bring Athletic back on level terms.

Any thoughts Xerez may capitulate where quickly dispersed when, two minutes later, a free-kick from Momo was pushed clear by Iraizoz.

Toquero immediately took the ball down the other end of the pitch, and tried his luck with a shot from distance which failed to trouble Renan.

However, Javi Martinez did give the Xerez goalkeeper a work-out after 79 minutes, with another strike from long range which had to be tipped around the post.

Xerez continued to push forward in numbers with Bermejo's lob dropping just over the bar, but they were hit four minutes from time by another goal which finally knocked the wind out of their sails.

Markel Susaeta sprinted down the right wing before providing a cross into the area which was turned in by Llorente from almost on the goalline.