Watch: Deportivo La Coruna promotion hopes take hit after goalkeeping coach grabs assist in stoppage time

As it was, their efforts to sign a goalkeeper on an emergency basis came up short, and they were forced to register goalkeeping coach Diego Rivas. Coming from 2-0 down at the Riazor, Rivas saw his name in lights as he went forward in stoppage time in search of the equaliser. The 36-year-old got a shot off, which was saved and then turned in by Manuel Romay, still gifting Rivas a rare assist in what he would later describe as ‘his last dance’.

Rivas started his career at Deportivo, and the 36-year-old had retired last year after a long career in the second and third tiers of Spanish football, with a spell in New Zealand too. He joined Arenteiro as a coach last summer.

It was a goal cheered across the other side of the country in Catalonia. Rafael Marquez’s Barca Atletic drew two points closer to Deportivo at the top of the table, albeit Depor still have a four-point lead. Only the winner of the Primera RFEF Group is promoted automatically, and the Galician side are hoping to end a painful four-year run in the third tier of Spanish football, for just the third time in their history, and first since 1980-81.

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