Luis Fabiano struck twice as high-flying Sevilla fought back from a 2-0 half-time deficit to save themselves from a shock home defeat to rock-bottom Malaga in an exciting Andalusian derby.

Malaga looked on course for only their second win of the season as goals from Fernando and former Sevilla midfielder Sergio Duda put them 2-0 up against the run of play.

However, Luis Fabiano took his tally to seven in nine games this season with a second-half brace to earn Sevilla a deserved share of the spoils.

Manolo Jimenez's side will be disappointed they did not go on to claim all three points though as a victory would have moved them level with leaders Real Madrid ahead of their crunch clash with Barcelona on Sunday.

For Malaga, the end result may have been disappointing considering their position at the interval, but they at least can take consolation from the fact the draw lifted them off the bottom of the table and out of the relegation zone.

Sevilla started well and Alvaro Negredo and Luis Fabiano had both missed decent chances for the hosts before Malaga took a surprise lead in the 22nd minute.

Sevilla goalkeeper Javi Varas did well to parry Nabil Baha's shot but the loose ball went straight to Fernando, who slotted home inside the near post and set off in celebration as the home side's claims for offside fell on deaf ears.

That was a major setback for Sevilla, but they continued to create chances and Negredo was denied by a last-ditch sliding tackle, before Luis Fabiano struck the woodwork with a header in the 36th minute.

He rose unmarked in the centre but could only deflect Jesus Navas' cross on to the far post and Negredo somehow managed to head the rebound wide from close range.

Sevilla's misery was then compounded on the stroke of half-time when Malaga doubled their lead thanks to a huge stroke of luck.

Fernando's attempted shot from 25 yards out was hopelessly sliced, but instead of flying harmlessly out for a throw, it fell perfectly into the path of Duda, who drilled a low shot into the far bottom corner.

The Sevilla players must have been stunned to be trailing at the break, but they came out with renewed determination after half-time and Diego Perotti saw a long-range effort well-stopped by Gustavo Munua.

Sevilla survived a scare in the 54th minute when Malaga striker Baha had a goal disallowed for a marginal offside decision, but the hosts continued to push forward and Negredo was again denied by the over-worked Munua before Luis Fabiano finally pulled a goal back.

Navas sent over a corner and Luis Fabiano did superbly to hang in the air before powering an unstoppable header into the top corner.

That set up a frantic final half-hour in which both teams had chances to add to the scoreline.

Only a brilliant one-handed save from Varas denied Malaga midfielder Antonio Apono from finding the top corner with a spectacular dipping effort, but it would be Sevilla who would be celebrating the next breakthrough as that man Luis Fabiano struck again.

Substitute Frederic Kanoute flicked the ball into Luis Fabiano's path inside the area and the Brazil international swivelled to drill a low shot into the far bottom corner.

The Sevilla fans must have felt their side would go on to claim all three points after that, and that was almost the case when Sebastien Squillaci powered in an 87th-minute header from point-blank range, only for Manua to stick out a hand and save a point for his side.