Manta came from behind to beat Deportivo Cuenca 2:1 in the Liga Pro regular season on Monday. The visitors took an early lead through J. Nazareno before L. Mancinelli equalised for the hosts. J. Verges then struck late to give Manta all three points at the final whistle.
The opening goal came at the fifteen-minute mark when Nazareno found the net for Manta. Deportivo Cuenca responded well and pulled level forty-four minutes in through Mancinelli's effort. The hosts dominated possession but could not find a way through Manta's defence until the visitors made their move.
Deportivo Cuenca kept 65 per cent of the ball and registered ten shots on target, yet Manta's four attempts proved more clinical. The hosts created one big chance while Manta managed none, but the visitors found a way through when it mattered most. By then the game had shifted on its head.
Manta received two yellow cards, both to Nazareno and Moscarelli, while Deportivo Cuenca kept their discipline with no bookings. Several substitutions were made in the second half, with Rivero and Gonzalez coming on for the hosts. The visitors also made changes, bringing Mina and Burbano into the fray.
The result leaves Deportivo Cuenca in twelfth place with thirty-five points from twenty-nine games. Manta remain sixteenth with twenty points and a longer road to climb. The visitors had lost their previous two matches before turning things around here.