The game had been postponed from last month after torrential rain left the pitch at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium waterlogged and unplayable.

The Catalan club have 60 points from 32 games, nine adrift of league leaders Valencia, but they remain in fourth after their draw in Seville, behind Champions League semi-finallists Deportivo on goal difference.

Javier Saviola opened the scoring for Barca after just five minutes, the Argentine international striker having been brought down in the box by Betis defender Daniel Lembo.

Saviola's initial penalty was parried by Betis keeper Toni Prats but he was alert enough to find the net with a second effort after the ball ran loose.

Barca almost doubled the score just after the midway point of the first half when Andres Iniesta, standing in for the suspended Ronaldinho, hit the post. But shortly afterwards the visitors paid the price for some slack defending.

However, the equaliser came in bizarre circumstances.

Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes was penalised for a foul on Dani Martin in the box and was red-carded.

Betis' former Spanish international striker Alfonso Perez scored from the spot, chipping the ball past substitute goalkeeper Recber Rustu.

Betis's advantage however failed to tell, even though Barca were reduced to nine men in injury time when Gerard Lopez received his second yellow card and the home side left the field to shrill whistles from their own fans for the second time in four days.

One consolation for Betis was that they broke their three-game losing streak, although they have not now won in their last eight outings.