Real Zaragoza moved a step closer to Primera Division survival by easing past a Malaga side who dropped into the bottom five following this defeat.
Leo Ponzio broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a superb 25-yard finish and in-form striker Humberto Suazo sealed the points 14 minutes time.
It was a deserved victory for Zaragoza but they made heavy weather of seeing off Malaga, spurning a number of openings in both halves.
Zaragoza came into the match in 17th spot but in buoyant mood following their 3-0 trouncing of third-placed Valencia last weekend - a result that lifted them four points above the relegation zone.
In contrast, Malaga had taken just four points from their previous six games to slip down to 15th place, and it was no surprise to see Jose Aurelio Gay's hosts take control of the encounter early on.
Zaragoza's first decent opportunity fell to Suazo in the 10th minute, and it really should have been the game's opening goal.
An attempted Malaga clearance was charged down and the ball fell perfectly for Suazo six yards out.
However, after skipping past Malaga goalkeeper Gustavo Munua, he failed to get any power on his shot and Jesus Gamez was able to clear off the line.
Suazo then set up his strike partner Javier Arizmendi for a good chance in the 30th minute but the former Valencia and Deportivo La Coruna hitman headed wide from close range.
Arizmendi was then denied by Munua at his near post following another header nine minutes later, this time from a corner.
Just when it looked as though they would have to settle for a goalless scoreline at the break, Zaragoza went in front thanks to Ponzio.
The Argentina midfielder picked up a loose ball outside the area, cut across an advancing defender before unleashing a fierce right-footed shot. Munua got a hand to it but could not prevent it from finding the top corner.
The goal was just as impressive as the one Carlos Diogo smashed home just before half-time to put Zaragoza 1-0 up against Valencia last weekend, and once again the timing could hardly have been better from a psychological point of view.
Zaragoza were made to sweat before killing the game off though, as they continued to pass up opportunities.
The unmarked Gabi completely fluffed a half-volley at the far post following a cross from Eliseu Pereira, while Arizmendi had a shot deflected for a corner by Munua, with Ander Herrera just inches away from tapping into an empty net.
The home side were almost made to pay for failing to make their dominance count when Malaga twice came close to levelling in the 67th minute.
First, Antonio Apono brought a diving save out of Roberto Jimenez and then, from the resulting corner, Albert Luque totally mis-kicked in front of goal before his team-mate Valmiro Valdo blazed over from six yards out.
Zaragoza survived that scare, and they sealed the points thanks to Suazo in the 76th minute, the Chile international volleying home from 12 yards after Arizmendi had nodded the ball down to him.
That was Suazo's fifth goal since arriving at Zaragoza in January and it helped lift his side provisionally seven points clear of danger.