Vitoria Setubal took another step towards safety after securing a late 1-1 draw at Academica in the Liga Sagres on Friday.Sitting one spot above the two relegation places, Claudio Pitbull hit an 82nd minute equaliser for Setubal to extend their gap over the bottom two to five points.

Despite missing the chance to take maximum points, the draw also moved Academica six points clear of the 15th-placed Naval Primeiro de Maio.

Miguel Fidalgo had given the hosts a 39th minute lead and they earned a penalty five minutes into the second half, but striker Modou Sougou’s attempt was well saved by Setubal goalkeeper Diego Silva.

When Jose Pedro was sent off for the visitors on the hour mark, it looked as though Academica would collect a vital three points despite the penalty miss.

But Sougou also picked up a second yellow card in the 69th minute before Pitbull struck an important leveller with eight minutes remaining.

The result pushed both teams another point from the bottom two, but neither is yet safe with three games for each to play.