Our search for a first point on the road continues following an unfortunate 2-1 defeat at Levante.
Vicente Moreno made two changes his starting XI, recalling the suspended Salva Sevilla and Fran Gámez in place of Lago Junior and Lumor, while Manolo Reina faced his former side.
A fine save by Aitor Fernández denied Ante Budimir from giving us an early lead, managing to tip the striker’s header wide in the 12th minute.
The hosts had a similar chance of their own just after the half-hour mark when Roger met substitute Rubén Rochina’s cross, but Reina was on hand to make a routine stop.
Ending the first half with a handful of half-chances for both sides that never threatened to break the deadlock, Budimir’s early header was the best opportunity of a tightly-contested fixture.
Levante took the lead seven minutes after the restart when Roger diving header steered Jorge Miramón’s deep cross into the bottom corner.
Take Kubo almost provided an immediate response, cleverly losing his marker to make enough space to test Fernández with a driven effort.
The Japanese international would however then play Joan Sastre in-behind Las Granotas’ defence, who cut the ball back for Dani Rodríguez to fire home from a few yards out.
Against the run of the play, Rochina restored Levante’s lead on the 73rd minute with thunderous shot from 25-yards out.
José Campaña’s red card following an altercation with Dani Rodríguez twinned with the introduction of forwards Abdon Prats and Pablo Chavarría inspired a late push for an equaliser, but the crossbar would deny the former from giving us a first point away from home with the last kick of the game.
RCD Mallorca: Reina, Gámez, Valjent, Raíllo, Sastre, Salva Sevilla (72’), Baba, Febas (77’), Kubo, Dani Rodríguez, Budimir (82’)
Substitutes: Fabricio, Xisco Campos, Sedlar, Señé (72’), Alegría, Chavarria (77’), Abdón (82’)
Levante: Fernández, Rubén Vezo, Miramón, Postigo (42’), Clerc, Melero (6’), Campaña, Radoja, Mayoral, Morales, Roger (78’)
Substitutes: Oier, Duarte (42’), Sergio León, Hernân, Bardhi (78’), Rochina (6’), Coke
Goals: Roger, 1-0 (52’); Dani Rodríguez 1-1 (65’); Rubén Rochina 2-1 (73’)
