Second division, day 20

Terrassa ended Cádiz's run of nine games without defeat after coming from behind twice to beat the league leaders 3-2. The referee awarded three penalties in a five minute period around half time, and Maikel struck the winner for the Catalans late on. Alavés took advantage to close up to within a point of the Andalusians thanks to a 1-0 win over Elche on Sunday lunchtime. Nené scored the only goal as the visitors ended the match with nine men. Elche stay in third spot though after Valladolid's shock 0-1 defeat at the hands of bottom club Córdoba, who had only picked up six points all season before this game. The Southerners have signed nine players in the winter transfer window though, and one of the new men Cristian Alvarez got the only goal from the penalty spot.

Only three points separate six sides though fighting for the last promotion spot, with Nàstic staking their claim after a 1-0 win over Sporting Gijón. Pinilla got the only goal from the penalty spot to make it ten games without defeat, taking the Catalans up to seventh. Racing Ferrol kept in touch after coming back twice to draw 2-2 at Xerez, Mario Bermejo extending his lead at the top of the Pichichi chart with his fourteenth of the season. But Tenerife lost more ground after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Poli Ejido.

Down at the bottom, Ciudad Murcia moved to within two points of Salamanca after beating them 2-1, a result which could signal the end for visiting manager Felipe Miñambres. And Pontevedra are still without a home win all season after drawing 1-1 with Málaga B, for whom José María Bakero took over as coach this week after Antonio Tapia was promoted to their first team. (16.01.05)

Celta missed out on a chance to move up into the top three when they were beaten 2-1 by Eibar. The Basque side had not won in six games, but they went two up early on, both goals scored by Kike Mateo. Canobbio pulled one back after the break, but it was not enough to prevent their first defeat in twelve matches. Real Murcia were also unable to climb out of the relegation spots after they were thrashed 5-1 by Lleida, and a last minute goal from Jamelli gave Almería a 1-0 win over Recreativo, an excellent result for caretaker manager Alfonsín. (15.01.05)

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