Second division, week 25

Sporting Gijon increased their lead at the top of the table to four points despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Recreativo. The Asturians have now gone nine games without letting in a goal. Earlier in the day second placed Levante were beaten 3-1 at Numancia, who move back up to third place as a result. Volunteers had to clear eight centimetres of snow off the pitch before the game could be played. Five sides are battling it out for that third promotion spot, including Eibar who stay three points behind Numancia after drawing 0-0 against Salamanca.

As usual the league table is very tight, and only five points separate eighth placed Salamanca from nineteenth position, which is currently occupied by Rayo Vallecano after most of the bottom sides picked up points. Poli Ejido in particular recorded a much needed 1-2 victory at Elche to move up five places to fourteenth, and Tenerife got their first win in fourteen games to move back up to within two points of safety. Raúl Martín got the goal in their 1-0 victory over Córdoba, which was the first they have scored in eight matches. The other two games ended all square, bottom side Algeciras drawing 2-2 at Almería, and Leganés and Xerez playing out an exciting 3-3 tie. (22.02.04)

The top two have a chance to open up an even bigger lead tomorrow after the third and fourth placed sides both lost. Getafe were beaten 2-1 by Cádiz, who themselves move back up to within two points of the Madrid based side. The winning goal came from a ninety-fourth minute penalty with the visitors down to ten men. Alavés failed to take advantage though, and they were beaten 2-1 by relegation candidates Málaga B. Juanma scored a goal in each half for the locals, with Téllez pulling one back in the dying minutes from the penalty spot.

Rayo Vallecano's third manager of the season Tzetxu Rojo got off to a good start with a 1-0 victory over Terrassa, taking his side out of the bottom four. Peragón scored the only goal in the twentieth minute with a spectacular volley, and the Catalans ended the match with nine men after they had two players sent off late on. Rayo move up to within a point of Las Palmas, who are back in trouble after losing 3-1 at Ciudad Murcia. (21.02.04)