Grady Diangana experienced a rollercoaster evening as he scored and then conceded a crucial penalty in a 1-1 LaLiga draw between Elche and Valencia at Mestalla, denying the visitors their first away win over Los Che since January 1987, but keeping pressure on Valencia boss Carlos Corberán.

Valencia, coming off a heavy 4-1 defeat to Celta Vigo, needed a response, even without top scorer Hugo Duro, who was suspended. As hosts, Los Che were expected to take the initiative, but the opening period highlighted Duro’s absence, with the side failing to make the most of promising attacking opportunities.

Dimitri Foulquier misdirected a header from Pepelu’s inswinging free-kick, Lucas Beltrán fired straight at Matías Dituro from distance, and Andre Almeida squandered a loose ball over the bar. By half-time, the Mestalla faithful were audibly frustrated at Valencia’s lack of cutting edge.

The home side received a boost just after the hour mark when Umar Sadiq made his second debut following his recent move from Real Sociedad, but it was an Elche substitute who broke the deadlock in the 75th minute. Diangana capitalized on time and space just outside the area, rifling a left-foot shot beyond Stole Dimitrievski to score his first goal for the club.

Diangana’s joy was short-lived, however, as he later handled the ball in the box, allowing Pepelu to convert a high-pressure penalty into the bottom corner and level the score.

Valencia pushed forward in search of a late winner but were unable to find one, leaving them without a league victory in six games and still hovering just above the relegation zone. For ninth-placed Elche, the result extended their wait for a first LaLiga away win of the season.