Primera Division: Eibar tasted victory for the first time since 10 January as they beat a much-changed Malaga 1-0

Eibar tasted victory for the first time since January 10 as Mikel Arruabarrena's second-half goal proved enough to beat a much-changed Malaga side 1-0.

The Basque striker had had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside in the first half but his persistence was rewarded five minutes into the second period as he nodded home from a corner.

The win, Eibar's first in 12 matches, takes the Basque side on to 31 points - six above the relegation zone - while Malaga remain in seventh spot, on 45 points.

Javi Gracia made five changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Real Sociedad last weekend and his side did not cope well with the rotations, only creating one real chance in the first half, a shot from Recio from outside the area which fizzed wide of Xabi Irureta's far post.

Eibar thought they had taken the lead shortly before the half hour mark when Malaga goalkeeper Carlos Kameni parried Saul Berjon's shot into the path of Arruabarrena, but the effort was incorrectly ruled offside.

Eibar came close to scoring a legitimate goal later in the half but Kameni managed to keep out Javi Lara's powerfully-struck free-kick.

Lara had more success with his next set-piece delivery. The midfielder sent the ball swinging towards the back post from a corner and Arruabarrena dived in to head the ball in from close range, scoring for the second time in a week.

But although his side threw away the lead his penalty against Rayo Vallecano had given them last Friday, this time Gaizka Garitano's side held firm.

Recio tried his luck again from outside the area but his rocket just missed the target, and Irureta saved Javi Guerra's header from a corner.

Ander Capa came close to sending the home crowd into ecstasy in injury time but Kameni threw out a hand to tip away the midfielder's shot.

But the Basque supporters were able to celebrate their first win in almost three months just a moment later when the final whistle sounded.