A late Lionel Messi penalty gave Barcelona a vital victory over an impressiveLeganes side at the Nou Camp on Sunday night.
The Argentine had given the home side an early lead and what appeared to be a comfortable position, but the 17th placed visitors grew into the game and kept goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen busy with a number of opportunities.
They levelled through Unai Lopez in the second half, and looked likely to hold onto a late point before Messi converted from the spot after Neymar was clumsilybrought down.
The win reduced the pressure on coach Luis Enrique somewhat, and moved Barca to within a point of league leaders Real Madrid, although having played two games more.
As expected,Barca dominated possession in the early stages andwere in front after just three minutes through Messi, who latched onto Luis Suarez's square ball to convert from close range.
Lionel Messi for Barcelona across all competitions this season:
34 games
33 goals
Pretty decent record... pic.twitter.com/xvRLu74Oyi
It was almost inexorable domination from the hosts, only disrupted whenLeganes forward NabilEl Zhar was played in behind, and twice forced Ter Stegen into action.
Messi almost added a second before the half hour markfollowing an excellent one-two with Suarez, but the visitors managed to resist for the remainder of the half, and almost levelledjust before the break with El Zhar once again bringing an excellent save from a wrong footed Ter Stegen.
Leganes had grown in belief after a passive opening 20 minutes, and an element of complacency appeared to have crept into Barca's game.
Miguel �ngel Guerrero was next to test Ter Stegen after half time, drilling a left-footed shot across goal but finding his effort denied by the leg of the impressive German keeper.
Barca's control of possession remained, but there was still an unfamiliar and notablelack of potency as there had been against PSG in midweek. The mask wearingRafinha had a goal bound shot cleared off the line with just over 20 minutes remaining as the home side attempted to add a crucial second goal.
But a deserved Leganes equaliser came minutes later through Lopez, who's low shot went through the legs of Ter Stegen to a gasp of disbelief at the Nou Camp.
71: Unai López makes it 1-1 for Leganés from the edge of the box #FCBLive #FCBLeganés
Messi curled a tame free kick over the bar in response, an effort that was almost symbolic of another lacklustre showing from the Catalan side, and only irked the already increasingly frustrated home fans.
The last few minutes of the game saw Leganes unsurprisingly camped in their own half, desperate to protect what would be an invaluable point. But a rash challenge on Neymar in the box with just two minutes remaining gave Barca a penalty.
Messi confidently and powerfullydispatched into the cornerto give Luis Enrique's side what could prove a crucial victory in the final picture of the season.
Barça XI 
1.Ter Stegen
4.Rakitic
9.Suárez
10.Messi
11.Neymar
12.Rafinha
19.Digne
20.S.Roberto
21.André Gomes
23.Umtiti
24.Mathieu#FCBLive
71: Unai López makes it 1-1 for Leganés from the edge of the box #FCBLive #FCBLeganés