We all know that the league table means nothing when it comes to the cup, but Betis are bottom for a reason and that will have to mean a change in attitude if they are to take anything positive to the Basque Country for the return leg.

When was the last time you saw two sides both playing in stripes? Reporting on a Bilbao game will always cause problems for the spellcheck, and this meant a double luck at the team sheet as Gurpegui had a shot cleared off the line by the curiously named Salva Sevilla as the away side took the initiative in the opening exchanges.

It did not take long for the home crowd to become impatient, playing nervously and looking more like the visitors, giving the Basques too much time and space in the first half whilst looking imprecise going forward. Kike Sola managed to break away from the insipid defence on several occasions though failed to make a proper contact with the ball. Warning signs for the home team until Athletic offered Betis a late Christmas present that Cedric inexplicably refused to accept.

With just four minutes left of the first half Betis managed to make amends for a forgettable first half when Ruben Castro majestically controlled Juanfran's deep cross. Betis now had something to cling onto, but first, they had to get to half time.

Something inspiring must have happened during the team-talk as Betis came out looking to double their lead, and almost did so had Chuli's shot not been blocked by one of his teammates. Bilbao perhaps were happy to let the home side run out of steam and even sneak a second, as long as they could steal a priceless away goal. Some theorists say losing 2-1 away is almost a win.

The away side did not wait until the hour mark before introducing Manchester United target Ander Herrera and a Spanish U21 star Iker Muniain. Betis' defending meanders between suicidal and farcical at the best of times, but when they try to defend a lead, common sense also disappears.  Betis responded by taking off the player who was causing the opponents' defence the most problems, Cedric, to be replaced by the lumbering Jorge Molina.

Miraculously, the home team moved into the last quarter with their goal intact, looking much more likely to keep it that when way when the ball was as far away as possible. Bilbao failed to capitalise on their possession and gifts, with Kike Sola being particularly wasteful. It was going to be a long last twenty minutes for the fans.

Nice round of applause for Beñat as he left the field after a frustrating return to his former club as Bilbao tried to change things around in the last fifteen minutes. Bilbao no doubt wondered how the score line remained 1-0, though could be forgiven for thinking if they played half as well as this in the next leg, they would be pretty likely to be in the hat for the quarter finals.

Remarkably, the post came to Betis' rescue to the dismay of the away side. As we moved into the last minute no one could be shifted from their seats in the communal effort to run down the clock.  But hold on they did, and have a lead to take north. Whether it will be enough depends on how much they can improve between now and then.