Levante edge past Rayo Vallecano

Levante secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey by beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Chances were rare in the early stages, with Javi Jimenez coming closest for the hosts when he fired just wide of the target from the edge of the box.

Levante broke the deadlock in a tight contest just before the interval through David Barral, who lost his marker inside the box to convert Angel's cross at the back post.

Nabil El Zhar was inches away from doubling his team's lead early in the second half when his powerful effort struck the post.

Vallecano continued to struggle to create chances as Levante dominated possession in the closing stages of the tie.

Iago Falque missed a rare opportunity when he fired wide in the closing stages as the hosts held on for a place in the final eight of the competition.