Deportivo La Coruna's European hopes received a blow as they went down to Real Valladolid in La Liga.

The hosts were expected to win this game comfortably against a struggling Valladolid outfit, but the visitors competed well and deservedly took all three points thanks to goals from Nauzet and Haris Medunjanin.

Deportivo's defeat saw them drop out of the top six, while Valladolid's much-needed victory moved up to 18th in the table with 11 games remaining.

The Galicians have been enjoying a fine season and began the day in sixth, three points adrift of fourth-placed Sevilla.

Depor looked impressive as they earned a hard-fought draw at Sevilla last weekend to renew hopes of a first Champions League appearance since 2005.

But they looked far short of that level as this match got under way.

Valladolid, struggling second from bottom prior to this encounter, had the first opportunity after just two minutes.

It fell to an alert Borja Fernandez, who stole the ball from a sleepy Alberto Lopo just outside the area but blasted his effort over the bar.

The next chance fell to Depor, when Juan Rodriguez tested Valladolid keeper Justo Villar with a stinging drive.

The visitors looked the more likely in a largely one-sided first half, though, and came close through Nauzet and Marquitos as the opening period wore on.

At the other end, Juan Rodriguez then hesitated with only Villar to beat and allowed Borja to get back and clear after 25 minutes.

But four minutes later, Valladolid took the lead.

Depor keeper Daniel Aranzubia failed to hold on to Pedro Lopez's powerful drive and Nauzet poached to slot home on the rebound.

The second half was a much more tense affair, with little in the way of goalscoring opportunities for either side.

Depor looked unusually short of ideas in front of their home fans, while Valladolid appeared unwilling to take too many risks.

The Castilians had won just three Primera Division matches all season and had lost the last three before this match.

But they looked a totally different side to the one that had gone down 4-1 at home to Real Madrid last weekend.

Defensively, Valladolid looked a lot tighter and Deportivo were restricted to long-range efforts in the second half.

The visitors were also creating little, but finished this match with a flourish.

Diego Costa should have wrapped up the win in the last minute when he nodded the ball past Aranzubia, only to fire wide with an open goal at his mercy.

But a minute later, Medunjanin spared his team-mate's blushes as he did make it two, firing a low shot under Aranzubia, who should have done better.

Valladolid moved up a position to 18th, just three points behind 17th-placed Real Zaragoza, who host Barcelona tomorrow.

Deportivo, meanwhile, will have been happy to see Athletic Bilbao held at home by Getafe this evening. Tonight's defeat dropped Depor below the Basques, with the teams now level on points.