Second division, day 41

With only a week to go to the end of the season, all second division matches were ordered to take place on Saturday evening. Murcia made sure of the second division title with a convincing 5-0 win over Racing Ferrol, a result which leaves the Gallicians back down in the bottom four. The other two promoted sides took their feet off their respective accelerators after ensuring their places in the first division last week, Zaragoza being held to a 0-0 draw by Poli Ejido and Albacete losing 0-1 at home to Almería, who move two points clear of the relegation zone.

In fact the only thing at stake now is who will go down, with six teams fighting to avoid the last two spots at the last weekend. Córdoba are still not out of the woods, but their 1-0 win over Oviedo puts them in a strong position and also confirms that the Asturian side will be playing in the second division B next season. Terrassa scraped an important point in a 0-0 draw at Sporting Gijon, and next week they host Leganés, 0-1 losers to Eibar, in a match which could mean the loser goes down if Ferrol or Eibar win their home games.

Compostela made sure of safety (financial situation permitting) after coming from two goals down to win 3-4 at Levante, and Elche did likewise with a 1-1 vdraw against Numancia. The Canary Island sides Tenerife and Las Palmas played out a dull 0-0 draw in their derby, but there were goals at Xerex, who beat already relegated Badajoz 5-3, and at Salamanca, where the hosts ran out 3-1 winners over Getafe.

Algeciras became the first team to win promotion after holding their closest rivals Athletic Bilbao B to a 0-0 draw in the second division B play-offs..... (21.06.03)