Hugo Duro came to the rescue as Valencia fought back to earn a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal on Thursday. Duro's finish in the second half at San Mames leaves the tie firmly in the balance, with Valencia playing the second leg at home at Mestalla on March 2. Athletic's Raul Garcia had given them the lead shortly before half-time but the 23-time winners of the Spanish Cup were unable to hold on for the victory. The winner of the tie will play either Rayo Vallecano or Real Betis in the final in April. Betis defeated Rayo 2-1 at Vallecas in the first leg on Wednesday night. Athletic knocked out Real Madrid in the quarter-finals and to win the cup this season would be particularly special, after they lost two finals in two weeks last year.