Spain striker Fernando Llorente struck a late winner as Athletic Bilbao put their poor run of form behind them with a 2-1 victory over CD Nacional that sees the Basque side take a step closer to the Europa League round of 32.

Athletic had lost four of their previous five competitive matches, drawing the other, heading into tonight's clash at San Mames and they must have feared the worst when Nacional took the lead just before half-time through Ruben Micael.

But Joaquin Caparros' men drew level in the 66th minute through long-serving winger Joseba Etxeberria, the former Spain player, before current international Llorente fired home Athletic's winner in the 86th minute.

That took his side onto six points in Group L, one behind leaders Werder Bremen, four ahead of Austria Vienna and five clear of Nacional.

Nacional's Micael and Andoni Iraola of Athletic both tried their luck from distance early on, but goalkeepers Gorka Iraizoz and Rafael Bracali dealt with them, while the visiting custodian also denied Etxeberria after 20 minutes.

It was Nacional who would find the net first, though, as Micael broke the deadlock four minutes before the interval, coolly firing home from 12 yards out and leaving Iraizoz with no chance to save.

Athletic will have been disappointed with their performance before the break, and coach Caparros decided that changes needed to be made, sending on Javi Martinez and Oscar De Marcos in place of Fran Yeste and Igor Gabilondo.

The home side immediately went in search of an equaliser and Markel Susaeta brought a good save out of Bracali just minutes after the restart.

Llorente and De Marcos also had efforts as Athletic tried to step things up, and the home side did not have to wait long to celebrate a goal as Etxeberria drew the teams level just after the hour mark.

The veteran forward pounced to turn the ball home after Bracali had kept out Llorente's header.

Soon after that the 32-year-old Etxeberria left the pitch to a huge ovation from the Athletic fans as Caparros made his third change, bringing on striker Gaizka Toquero.

It would be Llorente who would be the real hero of the night though, as the team's star striker netted with just four minutes to go to earn Athletic a much-needed victory.

Teams

Athletic Bilbao Iraizoz, Iraola, Castillo, Ustaritz,Amorebieta, Yeste (Javi Martinez 46), Gabilondo (De Marcos 47),Susaeta, Orbaiz, Etxeberria (Toquero 72), Llorente.

Subs Not Used: Armando, Etxeita, San Jose, Gurpegi.

Booked: Ustaritz.

Goals: Etxeberria 66, Llorente 86.

Nacional Bracali, Nuno Pinto, Patacas, Felipe Lopes, Halliche,Cleber, Luis Alberto (Aurelio 72), Ruben Micael,Leandro Salino, Pecnik (Mateus 65), Edgar (Clebao 78).

Subs Not Used: Douglas, Edgar Costa, Anselmo, Pacheco.

Booked: Patacas, Luis Alberto, Cleber.

Goals: Ruben Micael 41.

Att: 35,000

Ref: Istvan Vad (Hungary).