After almost unwittingly setting up a league decider with Atletico, Barcelona know they will have to play considerably better than this if they are to win the league title.

The Catalan side showed little cohesion or energy at the Martinez Valero as struggling Elche made sure of their top-flight survival with a goalless draw.

It all started quite promisingly for Barca when Andres Iniesta hit the bar in the 13th minute with a 20-yard volley.

Lionel Messi then curled a left-footed effort from the right 10 minutes later from 20 yards, but Elche keeper Manu Herrera turned it behind for a corner.

Cesc Fabregas took the resulting set-piece and again Manu was on hand to keep out Alexis Sanchez’s close-range header as Barca struggled to make the breakthrough.

Elche had a chance at the other end when Ruben Perez del Marmol’s free-kick found Carles Gil, whose header was saved by Jose Pinto.

Again Manu was Elche’s saviour as he tipped a Messi free-kick around the post before defender Sergio Pelegrin cleared the resulting corner taken by Fabregas.

Sanchez had another punt on goal with a strike from distance but again Manu was on hand to save as the sides went into half-time locked at 0-0.

Messi than squandered a golden opportunity to put his side ahead early in the second half but Manu closed down the Argentine, who hit his effort straight at the keeper as the chance went begging.

Barca survived a hairy moment when Pinto miscued a clearance and raced out of his area to mop up the danger, even dribbling past one forward before finally getting a pass away.

Manu then denied Alves and Sanchez as the Elche defence held strong before Garry Rodrigues squandered a chance on the counter- attack when he fired over.

As the clock ticked down, Barca launched a wave of desperate attacks but each one broke down, and when Sanchez won a free-kick in the dying moments it seemed to be the last chance for the visitors on a night of frustration.