Xerez gave their slim chances of La Liga survival a big boost with victory at home to Tenerife.

The Andalusians raced into a two-goal lead after a quarter of an hour, thanks to early strikes from Mario Bermejo and Aythami Artiles.

And the hosts held on for only a fourth league success of the season despite a reply from Nino - who also missed a first half penalty - four minutes into the second half.

Xerez should have put the game out of reach following an intense spell of pressure in the closing stages, but were made to sweat late on as defender Juan Luis Redondo was sent off.

Nestor Gorosito's men held on, though, to secure a third win under their new coach and move to a points tally of 18, five less than 18th-placed Tenerife.

Tenerife had boosted their own chances of survival with a fine 4-1 win at home to Espanyol last weekend, but the Canary Islanders have the worst away record in the league and the only one not to have secured a victory on the road this term.

And it was easy to see why as Xerez raced into a two-goal lead early on.

The visitors only had themselves, and in particular goalkeeper Sergio Aragoneses, to blame for the first goal, though.

Aragoneses made a terrible error of judgement as he caught Bermejo's header, but was adjudged to have been over the line.

Replays were inconclusive, but the ball did appear to have crossed the line and Xerez had benefited from such much-needed luck.

Eight minutes later, the Andalusians went two up as Aythami pounced to slot home on the rebound after Diego Gioda's header had crashed against the crossbar.

Chema kept his side two goals up with an impressive save from Alejandro Alfaro, and the goalkeeper was the local hero 10 minutes before half-time, when he dived brilliantly to his right to keep out Nino's penalty.

The Tenerife striker had hit the bar moments before the spot-kick and Tenerife's pressure looked certain to yield a goal, but Chema made sure his side went in two goals to the good at the interval.

After the break, the visitors quickly pulled a goal back.

And Nino went some way to atoning for his penalty miss as he scored it, beating Chema with a clinical header from Alfaro's cross.

Tenerife pressured after that, but Xerez recovered their composure and were back on top late on.

Bermejo fired wide with seven minutes left and Emiliano Viqueira hit the bar shortly afterwards as the home side sought a crucial third goal.

But they were left to defend their slender advantage with 10 men after Redondo was sent off.

Added time was successfully negotiated, though, and Xerez held on for a vital three points against a Tenerife side still failing to produce away from home.

Both sides look set to be playing each other again next season, although those fixtures are likely to be in Spain's Segunda Division.