Second division, day 36

With six games still to go, the three promotion spots are virtually tied up already. Murcia, Zaragoza and Albacete have opened up a seven point gap over the chasing sides, and the only interest at the top of the table is who is going to end up champions. After Albacete's defeat the day before, Murcia were held to a 1-1 draw by Salamanca, and their lead is now down to one point after Zaragoza beat Elche 5-2. Ex Blackburn Rovers striker Yordi scored three of the goals.

Fifth placed Xerez lost out on the chance to close up on the leaders after losing 2-1 at Getafe, and their push for promotion appears to be over. Getafe stay in seventh spot, sandwiched between the Canary Island sides Las Palmas, who won 0-1 at Terrassa, and Tenerife, who beat Poli Ejido 4-0. Compostela are level with Tenerife after beating Leganés 2-0.

The fight to avoid relegation is hotting up, with all of the last three sides winning. Bottom club Oviedo defeated neighbours Sporting Gijon 2-1 in a bad tempered match, and Badajoz won 1-2 at Eibar. The only one of the bottom four to lose was Almería, who were defeated 1-2 by Numancia. As things stand though, only twelve points separate Oviedo from Getafe.

Meanwhile the regional league stage of the second division B is now over, and sixteen teams go on to fight it out for the four promotion spots. Sides will be drawn into four mini-leagues later this week, with the winner of each league to go up. Teams qualifying were as follows:
Group I: Universidad Las Palmas, Lanzarote, Zamora, Pontevedra
Group II: Real Unión, Logroñes, Barakaldo, Athletic Bilbao B
Group III: Castellón, Barcelona B, Burgos, Gramanet
Group IV: Algeciras, Málaga B, Cuidad de Murcia, Cádiz
The play-offs will take place every weekend over the next six weeks. (18.05.03)

Second placed Albacete lost 2-1 to struggling Racing Ferrol on Saturday evening, their first defeat in 19 games. However fourth placed Levante failed to take advantage, themselves losing 1-2 to Córdoba. (17.05.03)