Second division, week 22

Sporting Gijon and Levante opened up a five point gap over the rest after both won their respective matches, the Asturians beating Getafe 0-2 on Sunday lunchtime and the Valencia based side defeating Rayo Vallecano 3-1 later in the day. The result sends Rayo back down into the relegation zone.

Numancia held on to third spot once again, even though their 0-0 draw at Córdoba means they have not won in five weeks. Eibar were held though to a 2-2 draw by bottom club Algeciras, and Cádiz were beaten 1-0 by Poli Ejido, who climb out of the drop zone as a result.

Salamanca took advantage to close up to within five points of the promotion spots with a 3-1 win over Leganés, moving back above Recreativo Huelva, whose 1-1 draw with Ciudad Murcia put an end to their run of four victories in a row. Ciudad sacked their manager last week, as did Almería, who improved slightly with a 2-2 draw at struggling Málaga B. (01.02.04)

Alavés paid the price for their epic cup win midweek, and their success could affect their promotion chances after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Tenerife. The point was not enough though to see the Canary Islanders out of the relegation spots, and they could be joined again by neighbours Las Palmas after they were defeated 1-2 by Elche. In the other game on Saturday evening, a second half penalty by Terrassa was enough to give them a 0-1 victory and end Xerez's run of nine games without defeat. (31.01.04)