Second division - day 3

Xerez kept their top spot as Burgos fell to their first defeat of the season at Oviedo. Oli and Rubén got the goals either side of half time in a 2-0 win, their first since being relegated. They did better though than Racing Santander, who lost by the same result away at Extremadura. Manuel got both goals for the home side, the second in injury time, and Racing's manager Gustavo Benítez is expected to be the second manager to lose his job less than a month in to the new campaign.

The first to go was Córdoba's Juan Verdugo, who was replaced by Crispi a few days ago, and the new manager seemed to make all the difference in his first match in charge. Córdoba took the lead with goals from their two Brazilians Fabao and Whelliton in the second half, and although Salamanca evened things up with strikes by Cristian Díaz and Tomás, the home side ran out 4-2 winners with late goals by Manolo (from the penalty spot) and Alfonso. Even though the match kicked off at eight o'clock at night, temperatures were as high as 40ºC at the beginning.

Numancia recorded their first victory of the season beating Sporting Gijon 3-1 in a game which kicked off at Sunday lunchtime. Having scored in his own net two weeks ago Pacheta got it right this time, opening the scoring with a quarter of an hour gone and adding the third at the end. Sporting equalised momentarily five minutes into the second half, but Ojeda re-established the lead a few minutes later.

The other two matches on Sunday both ended goal-less. Poli Ejido got their first point ever in the second division A in a 0-0 draw against an ultra-defensive Eibar side, but they are still next to bottom, just above Nástic on goal average. The game between Murcia and Leganés also finished 0-0, making it three draws out of three for Leganés. (09.09.01)

Newly promoted Xerez moved to the top of the second division with their third victory in a row. Bernd Schuster's team beat Badajoz 2-0 in their temporary home at Sanlucar on Saturday night with goals in the second half from Mena and Pineda. They go ahead of Atlético Madrid who struggled to draw at home against Racing Ferrol. Ismael gave the visitors the lead with his third goal of the season, and only a late equaliser from Diego Alonso (also his third goal with his new club) saved a point.

Elche and Levante shared the points in a thrilling derby match. Ettien gave the Valencia based side the lead, and although Nino and Ivars turned the game around for the hosts, new signing Josemi headed the equaliser for the visitors with only two minutes to go to make it 2-2. Jaén took all three points at newly promoted Nástic with a 0-2 victory. Both goals came in four minute period in the second half from Riera and Sierra. In the other game played on Saturday night, Albacete and Recreativo drew 0-0. (08.09.01)