As the Rebels advanced from Sevilla, government forces took positions on a series of low hills protecting Merida. A battery of loyalist artillery forced to rebels to spread out and a Moroccan assault on the government right flank was repulsed. However, with the help of armoured cars and artillery and a flanking attack by another Moroccan Tabor,  the Rebels kept up the pace of their advance. The thinly held government positions were reinforced by communist and anarchist militia, but in the end it was the infinitely better training of the Moroccan tabores and the banderas of the Spanish Foreign Legion that decided the day. At sunset, only a single and isolated company of Asaltos held what was left of the government lines. On both flanks the Moroccans pursued the fleeing remnants of the militias. However, the victory had not come easy, with at least one of the two veteran banderas taking about 50% losses.