BARCELONA, Spain -- Sergio Garcia scored a stunning long-range strike only for Espanyol to concede a late goal in a 1-1 draw with Elche in the Spanish league on Monday.
Garcia unleashed a dipping shot while on the run that clipped the post before landing in the net in the 17th minute. Garcia's 10th league goal of the season was his team's first since Feb. 27.
Espanyol held the visitors without a clear scoring chance until substitute Cristian Herrera headed in a rebound of Jonathas' shot that had been blocked by goalkeeper Kiko Casilla in the 77th.
''They went ahead on Sergio's amazing goal but we didn't lower our heads at any moment and kept working to get the point,'' Herrera said. ''We leave feeling good.''
Garcia had a great opportunity to grab a late winner, but goalie Przemyslaw Tyton saved with his foot.
Espanyol was left in 12th place, while Elche slipped into 16th, three points above the relegation zone.
''It leaves a bad taste in our mouth,'' said Espanyol forward Lucas Vazquez. ''The version of our team in the second half wasn't the best. We had our chances to finish of the game and we ended up paying dearly for not taking advantage of them.''
The league continues play with the 30th round of games starting on Tuesday, when third-place Atletico Madrid hosts Real Sociedad.
League leader Barcelona hosts Almeria on Wednesday, while second-place Real Madrid visits Rayo Vallecano.
