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After a slow first half, the game came alive when former Tottenham Hotspur forward Gil's header put visitors Girona ahead in the 58th minute.

Roared on by a sold-out crowd at Vallecas, Rayo went all out on the attack and scored the equaliser after a spell of pressure in the 80th minute when substitute Nteka fired home a rebound.

Nteka was on target again three minutes later to strike a first-touch effort from inside the box that gave the home side the win, with both goals assisted by Alvaro Garcia.

Rayo rose to seventh on the LaLiga standings on 29 points, one below sixth-placed Mallorca and the European qualification places. Girona is ninth with 28 points.

Gil said that focus must return to Girona's domestic campaign, saying that his team-mates must improve as a collective to reach the European places once again.

"For the second week in a row we've gone ahead and gave away the three points, we have to be self-critical, we can't allow that to keep happening," Gil said.

"I think we have been struggling and find it difficult when we're winning because when our rivals go up and start pressing, we're not strong enough.

"It starts with us up front. In attack, we should be the first ones to press and put a better effort into helping our team defend the late runs.

"We must stay positive, take the good things from today and the other day and correct our mistakes, because we are a team with a lot of ambition and all the players give their all for this shield. I am convinced that this momentum will change."

Girona boss Michel, however, credited Vallecano for its battling display, suggesting that it deserved all three points.

"Rayo had a lot of intensity, and it was difficult for us to create our own style of play," Michel said.

"Perhaps the result is fair because they had more chances and imposed a rhythm that prevented us from controlling the game."