Second division - day 3

A three way tie at the top of the table, with Terrassa and Xerez joining Albacete on seven points and similar goal averages. Both sides won their respective Sunday evening games by 1-0, with Terrassa beating Salamanca thanks to an own goal in the first half from Aurelio. Visiting keeper Stelea saved several efforts in the second half, including one near the end from Babangida.

Xerez defeated Sporting Gijon with a late strike from Dani Pendín, who headed Cachorro's free kick wide of the keeper. The home side played over half the game with ten men after Zárate got himself sent off just before the break, shortly after the ex Málaga player had hit the post with an angled shot. Sporting join local rivals Oviedo in the bottom four with only one point from three games.

Last week's leaders Murcia were defeated, also by 1-0, by promotion favourites Zaragoza. Paco Flores' side has yet to adapt to the second division though, and once again they struggled before Aragón settled it with a shot from outside of the area midway through the second half.

Getafe won their first match of the season on Sunday lunchtime, beating Tenerife 2-1. There were two penalties in the first quarter of an hour, with Luis López putting the home team in front and Barata equalising three minutes later. However Borja gave the Madrid based side victory two minutes from the end.

The game between Elche and Leganés started with a bang but ended with a fizzle. Benja gave the home side the lead in the second minute and Falcón equalised in the ninth. However that was it for the scoring, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Badajoz dropped into the bottom four after losing at home 0-2 to Poli Ejido. It was an even game, but goals by two players who played in the first division last season settled it. Tevenet hit the first early on with a 25 yard free kick, and Sabino made it two after the break following a corner. Ejido ended with ten men after Arturo got himself sent off. (22.09.02)

Albacete are the new leaders of the second division, for 24 hours at least, after winning away 1-2 against Numancia. The visitors went in front in the third minute through Perera, and went close to extending their lead before Suffo headed an equaliser from a corner in the second half. However three minutes later Parri hit the winner for the Manchegans, taking them on to seven points.

An exciting match at Almería, where a Mijatovic lead Levante came back from two goals down to draw 2-2. The home side seemed to have their first win of the season in the bag after Olivares and Francisco scored twice in a five minute period late in the first half. However Amato pulled one back early in the second half, and then won his side a penalty two minutes from time. It had to be Mijatovic who slotted home the spot kick for the equaliser.

Las Palmas fought back from a goal down to save a point against Compostela. The visitors had the better chances in the first half, and a few minutes after Pignol rattled the crossbar, Maikel put them in front. The Canary Islanders came back in the second half though, and Angel set up Rubén to level the scores at 1-1. Las Palmas are on four points, one ahead of their opponents who have drawn all three of their opening games.

Cash strapped Oviedo could not have got off to a worse start, and they are down near the bottom of the table after losing 1-2 at home to Racing Ferrol. After a goalless first half, the Asturians took the lead when Oli volleyed home a cross from Pablo Díaz. Straight from the kick off though the visitors equalised through Jaio, and although Oviedo were on top from then on, a mistake by defender Raúl let in Dutil for a late winner.

Eibar scored their first goal of the season after almost four hours of trying, but it was enough to take them up above their opponents Córdoba to the top half of the table with five points. Their 1-0 win came about thanks to a second half penalty from Garitano, although they also have keeper Asier Riesgo and midfielder Uriz to thank for last minute saves. (21.09.02)