 Throughout the battle , la Peña steadfastly refused to support his Anglo @-@ Portuguese allies . He learnt of the French advance at about the same time as Graham , and decided to entrench his full force on the isthmus defending the approach to the Isla de Léon . Learning of Graham 's decision to engage the two French divisions , the Spanish commander was convinced that the French would win the day and so stayed in place ; Zayas repeatedly asked for leave to go to Graham 's support , but le Peña denied permission each time . On hearing that the British had prevailed , la Peña further declined to pursue the retreating French , again over @-@ riding the continued protestations of Zayas . 
