Javi Guerra scored the only goal as Real Valladolid edged out Elche in the opening leg of their Segunda Division play-off semi-final.
Guerra struck after 59 minutes to boost his side's hopes of a place in the play-off final and the chance to secure promotion to the Primera Liga.
A miserable evening for Elche was compounded with the dismissal of Hector Verdes seven minutes from time for a second yellow card.