Maxi Rodriguez gave beleaguered Atletico Madrid coach Abel Resino something to cheer with a late equaliser against Valencia.
Resino faced calls for his dismissal during Wednesday's home draw with Almeria, which left Los Rojiblancos second from bottom of the Primera Division table.
And although they are still looking for their first victory of the campaign, Maxi's injury-time strike gave them a welcome point they must have thought had slipped away.
The visito! rs had taken an early lead through Sergio Aguero but two goals in three minutes from Pablo Hernandez and the prolific David Villa midway through the first half turned the game on its head.
Villa twice came close to putting the game beyond Atletico but they dug deep and got their reward with their first away point of the campaign.
The pressure to perform must have been weighing on all the Atletico players but they made the ideal start as Aguero fired them in front after only seven minutes.
Diego Forlan fed the striker and and he finished confidently from the middle of the penalty box.
Valencia, who were also in need of a win after losing 3-1 against Getafe last time out, attempted to hit back straight away, with David Silva firing over the bar, while at the other end Forlan came close to making it 2-0.
Juan Mata looked certain to draw the hosts level in the 16th minute as he connected with Carlos Marchena's cross but Roberto Jimenez managed! to block the shot with his feet.
Villa then uncharacte! ristical ly missed the target from close range after being set up by David Silva.
While Valencia were having the better of the chances, Atletico were still a danger and Aguero dragged his shot wide of the post.
The hosts made their pressure pay in the 25th minute, though, Pablo converting Ever Banega's cross.
And a shellshocked Atletico found themselves behind two minutes later as this time Villa made no mistake from David Silva's pinpoint pass to make it six goals in five matches.
The visitors were forced into a substitution before half-time, with Juanito replacing the injured Juan Valera.
Villa nearly grabbed his second of the game eight minutes into the second half but Jimenez produced a diving save to push his close-range shot round the post.
Having started the game so brightly, Atletico were now struggling to threaten Miguel Moya's goal.
Indeed, they needed Jimenez to be at his best again in the 73rd minute with a near identical s! ave to keep out the dangerous Villa.
Forlan had a glimpse of goal moments later but could only drag a weak shot wide while substitute Maxi also missed the target with an effort from the edge of the box.
And just when it looked like they had resigned themselves to another defeat, the Argentinian popped up with a crucial leveller, turning in Jose Manuel Jurado's cross from close range.
This time it was Valencia who were shellshocked but there was no time for the hosts to respond and they were forced to settle for a point.
