Heavily outnumbered and unsupported, "Namur" and "Marlborough" managed to successfully engage their opposite numbers in the enemy line, but suffered considerable damage. At the rear of the ships being attacked, five more Spanish ships followed, at some distance due to the slow speed of the one ahead: "Brillante, San Fernando, Halcon, Soberbio" and "Santa Isabel". There was some exchange of fire between these and the lead ships of the English rear. Most of Lestock's ships in the rear remained inactive during the battle.