The result leaves the Spanish first division title race wide open with just four games to go.

Ronaldinho scored from the penalty spot after just five minutes to give Barca the lead but his Brazilian compatriot Rafael Sobis equalized for the visitors a few seconds before the end of regulation time.

"Draw, win or lose; you can't lose your pride. What made the difference was that we failed to find the net and in the end that lead to the draw," said a clearly tense Rijkaard at a press conference after Sunday's game.

"Betis didn't create many opportunities so to lose a goal like that in the last minute is like getting a blow to the head. Everybody is disappointed, everybody is in pain.

"We lost concentration and were just kicking the ball around (when Betis scored). But our heads will not drop. Now we have to recover our pride and go forward," added Rijkaard.

"The overall performance was good, it is just a shame that we didn't win. But then we always want to win."

However, Rijkaard conceded that his men's confidence had been shaken after dropping two vital points and slipping to second in the Spanish title race.

"The faces of disappointment were the same in the dressing room as those you saw leaving the field. The talk was of how many games remain," admitted Rijkaard.

It was the second dismal result in just four days for Barca and came in the wake of their 4-0 humiliation at modest Getafe in the Spanish Cup semifinal on Thursday.