Both Sevilla and Levante missed the chance to move closer to their goals as they played out a 1-1 draw.
Levante knew a win would put them level on points with fourth-place Malaga ahead of their game on Sunday, while Sevilla could have moved to within three points of the top four Champions League berths with victory.
It was not to be for either of them, though.
Sevilla dominated throughout, a surprise in the wake of their 5-1 midweek drubbing by Getafe, but only had the one goal to show for it from Alvaro Negredo.
Arouna Kone levelled before the break and, despite more Sevilla pressure, the home side knew it was not going to be their night when Negredo missed an 87th-minute penalty.
With Monday's disappointment no doubt still fresh in their minds, Sevilla started as though they had a point to prove.
Just five minutes had gone when Gary Medel took aim from 25 yards to test Gustavo Munua, before Negredo slotted wide when well set.
Juan Cala was the next to go close, heading Piotr Trochowski's free-kick over the bar as the home side kept the pressure on.
It was only going to be a matter of time before the turned possession into goals and so it proved with 21 minutes on the clock, Negredo tucking away Fernando Navarro's cross from the left.
Former Real Madrid striker Negredo then hit over as he looked for a second, while he and Jesus Navas both passed up decent edge-of-the-area opportunities.
Sevilla had been outstanding but, with 28 minutes gone and completely against the run of play, they were pegged back when Kone got on the end of Jose Barkero's cross to find the back of the net from 12 yards.
Levante gained confidence from the goal, with Kone and Xavi Torres, before Sevilla got back on top after the break with Antonio Luna going close.
Negredo then wasted a free header from six yards and Navas had a volley blocked, before Manu del Moral's volley was stunningly saved by Gustavo Munua in the Levante goal.
Trochowski was the next to take aim as the one-way traffic continued and Federico Fazio joined him in failing to get the better of Munua.
Stung by their failure to break through, Sevilla's intensity dipped and Jose Barkero had an effort for Levante that went just wide.
Sevilla then thought they had got what their play deserved when they won a penalty with three minutes to go.
Rodriquez brought down Jose Antonio Reyes but Negredo could not beat Munua, meaning the game trickled out into a draw.
