Real Zaragoza beat Rayo Vallecano 2-0 in Madrid tonight to move level on points with their opponents in the La Liga table.

The visitors came close to breaking the deadlock just moments prior to Franco Zuculini's opener when Jordi Amat cleared off the line from Paco Montanes.

Five minutes later, Zaragoza did take the lead when Zuculini fired a low shot under David Cobeno after pouncing on a loose Vallecano pass.

Rayo responded well to falling behind as Alejandro Dominguez forced Roberto into a fine block in one of several chances for the home side before the interval.

The hosts continued to have the better of the play in the early stages of the second period but failed to convert possession into chances.

Their failure to find a killer pass proved costly when Apono capitalised on more poor defending to shoot low from outside of the area and secure the victory for Zaragoza.

The result means that both teams have 19 points from their opening 15 games this season.