Real Madrid gave an unconvincing display but managed to bounce back from their recent run of poor results to defeat bottom-placed Malaga 2-1 at the Bernabeu.

A penalty from Zinedine Zidane and a last-gasp header from Sergio Ramos saw Real come back from a Ricardo Souza Bovio first half goal.

Having achieved only one win in their previous seven league games Real needed a victory to maintain their challenge for second place and direct qualification for next season's Champions League.

With only four games left in the Spanish league, Real remain third, two points adrift of Valencia who won away to the Athletic Bilbao and one point clear of Osasuna.

David Beckham returned to the starting line-up playing in his customary position on the right flank with Guti back from suspension in the centre of midfield and Antonio Cassano as the lone striker replacing the injured Ronaldo.

Real began the game somewhat nervously, almost as if the board room disagreements reported in the local press during the week had affected their concentration.

After only two minutes Malaga should have scored when a cross from Antonio Lopez found Antonio Manuel Sanchez unmarked but the winger failed to hit the target from just outside the six-yard box.

Raul thought he had scored after 20 minutes from a Beckham cross but the Real captain was harshly ruled offside and denied the Spain international.

But just three minutes later, Antonio Lopez again beat Cicinho down the left and his cross was met by Bovio and the midfielder's well struck shot beat Iker Casillas betting to give Malaga a surprise lead.

The goal appeared to sting Real into action and on the half hour a Beckham free kick to the far left of the penalty area found Robinho unmarked and the Brazilian's first time volley thundered against the underside of the cross bar only to harmlessley bounce away from danger.

The last 10 minutes of the first half saw Real move up a gear again with chances for Raul, and in particular Cassano, wasted.

The Italian striker continued to incur the wrath of the 60,000 home crowd early in the the second half as he failed to convert two opportunities from successive Beckham corners and in the 60th minute he was replaced by Roberto Soldado.

But with Real continuing to apply the pressure the Malaga defence finally succumbed as Carlos Manuel de Oliveira brought down Raul in the penalty area in the 65th minute.

Zidane, who had just been brought on for Julio Baptista, confidently struck the spot kick just inside Francesc Arnau's right-hand post to level the game.

The French international's seventh league goal this season could be one of his last for Real if, as has been suggested, he announces his retirement from first class football at a press conference next Wednesday.

And just as it appeared that Real were going to disappoint again, a 90th minute free-kick from Beckham was flicked across by Robinho and Sergio Ramos sent a flying header beyond Arnau to the relief of the tense Bernabeu crowd.

Malaga, who have never won in the Bernabeu, are now all but relegated lying 10 points adrift of salvation and with just twelve points left to play for.