Second division - day 30

Atlético Madrid increased their lead at the top of the division with a 0-1 victory at Badajoz, and it is now only a matter of time before they achieve promotion. Santi headed the only goal of the game from Dani's corner midway through the first half, and Burgos saved the day at the end stopping Bauza's shot with his chest when caught off his line.

Atlético go nine points ahead of Xerez, who earned themselves another point in a dull 0-0 draw against Andalucian rivals Córdoba. Cachorro hit the bar directly from a corner for the visitors, and their keeper Ramón made a couple of important saves in the second half.

Oviedo fell to their first defeat in ten games, losing 3-0 at Salamanca, who themselves had not won in the last six. All three goals came in the second half, with Makukula getting his fifteenth of the season, then Gurrutxaga heading through his own net and Robert finishing things off. Oviedo drop out of the top three to fifth.

Albacete also saw their promotion hopes take a blow when they lost 0-2 at home to Elche, who draw level with them on points. Moha opened the scoring with a brilliant solo run midway through the second half, and then set up Nino for his thirteenth of the season.

Racing Ferrol move level with Albacete and Elche after defeating Burgos 3-0 for their third win in a row. New signing Diawara gave them the lead from Ismael's pass, and Redondo added a second five minutes from the end after Burgos had been reduced to nine men following the sending off of Arregui and Repi. Nine became eight in injury time when Lucio was red-carded for handling in the area, and Ismael converted the penalty to leave their opponents struggling without a win in eight games.

Ferrol go above Sporting Gijon, who were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by Poli Ejido. The visitors actually took the lead through one of their new signings Changui, but under-21 international Villa made it all square later in the first half.

Eibar stay a point behind Sporting after they too drew 1-1, at home to Jaén. Garitano headed the Basque side into the lead in the fourth minute, but Jurado equalised in the second half.

Numancia recorded their first victory under new manager Manu Sarabia, a 1-0 victory over Murcia, to keep their hopes of staying in the second division alive. The match was played in a snowstorm, and the only goal came from Rosu in the first half, who chested down Iñaki's cross before beating Reinke. Their keeper Jonathan kept them in the game in the second half though, and they move just behind Leganés on goal average. This was a first defeat for Murcia's new boss David Vidal.

Levante climbed off the bottom above Ejido after a narrow 1-0 win over Extremadura. Setvalls got their only goal on the stroke of half time, and they are now level with Nàstic. (03.03.02)

The fourth and fifth placed sides Recreativo Huelva and Racing Santander both won on Saturday evening to put the pressure on third placed Oviedo, who are due to play at Salamanca tomorrow. Recreativo beat relegation candidates Gimnastic Tarragona 1-0 thanks to a last minute goal by substitute Epitié, who took Cheli's pass and shot in off the post past debutant keeper Javi Ruiz. Earlier in the game Recreativo keeper César had kept his side in the match with a series of good saves as Nàstic had surprised the Andalucians with their attacking play. Recre move on to 48 points, and Oviedo will have to take the three points if they are to hold on to the last promotion spot.

Racing recorded only their second away win of the season, beating Leganés 1-4 to take fourth spot for the moment. Javi Guerrero and Mazzoni gave them a two goal lead by half time, but Miguel Angel pulled one back for the Madrid based side just after the restart. However substitute Morán restored the two goal lead only minutes after coming on, and Mazzoni got his second of the night in injury time to send Leganés down closer to the relegation spots. (02.03.02)