Vallecano have enjoyed a fantastic season so far as they unexpectedly compete for a European spot, and it was the away side who got off to the better start, dominating the early possession although struggling to convert their superiority into clear-cut chances.
The visitors did think they had opened the scoring midway through the first half when a flashed ball across the box was deflected goalwards before Raul de Tomas tapped in at the back post, but it was ruled out for offside as the striker was in an offside position - ironically, ultimately, as the ball would have surely crossed the line without the striker’s intervention.
Cadiz were unable to impose themselves in any way throughout the first period as the scores remained level at the interval.
The second half began in the same manner as the first, with the addition of multiple fouls causing the game to become a stop-start affair that lacked rhythm.
Cadiz almost broke the deadlock around the hour mark when Sergi Guardiola was played through one-on-one with Stole Dimitrievski, but his effort was brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper.
However, just five minutes later, Guardiola was sent through on goal once again, and this time the Spaniard made no mistake, slotting the ball past Dimitrievski to give his side a crucial lead.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men in stoppage-time, Alejandro Catena picking up a second yellow card, as a solitary moment of quality proved to be the difference between the two teams.
Cadiz managed to hold on to secure an important victory in their pursuit of remaining in the Spanish top flight - the win opens up a buffer of three points between themselves and the relegation places.
Meanwhile, Rayo’s pursuit of qualification for continental competition takes a blow, and the chasing pack including Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal will be hoping to pounce on their defeat.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Sergi Guardiola (Cadiz)
