Second division, day 24

A goal by Canobbio from a last minute free kick was enough to give Celta a 1-0 win over Sporting Gijón, taking them a point above Alavés and in to the promotion spots. It is still remarkably tight at the top though, with two other sides drawing level with the Vitoria based side, including Elche, who beat struggling Pontevedra 2-0 thanks to early strikes from Nino and Moisés, and Valladolid, who won 2-1 against another side who are in the relegation spots, Ciudad Murcia, both goals coming from central defender Mateo.

Curiously all three have a positive goal difference of ten, as do Recreativo, who stay just two points behind the trio after coming from behind to win 1-3 win at Real Murcia, Uche getting two of their goals. Xerez though lost a bit of ground on the other promotion candidates after a 0-0 draw at Poli Ejido, although they themselves are only five points off the top three.

Another strange result involving Racing Ferrol who, after scoring six away from home last week, found themselves on the end of a 1-4 drubbing by Nàstic. It was fitting revenge for their ex coach Luis César, now in charge of the Catalan side. And Córdoba moved off the bottom of the table to the detriment of Pontevedra after beating Terrassa 2-1, they like Nàstic coming from a goal down to do so. (13.02.05)

Eibar moved back up to second in the table after beating Salamanca at mid-day on Sunday. The Basque side went ahead after Llorente converted a dubious penalty in the first half, and David Silva added a second after the restart before Zé Tó scored an injury time consolation for the home side. José Marí Bakero's Málaga B also kicked off on Sunday lunchtime and they recorded their first win in five games, beating Lleida 1-0 thanks to a Roberto Carlos strike in the first half. (13.02.05)

Cádiz extended their lead at the top of the second division to four points after beating Almería 2-1. Sahnoun had put the visitors ahead in the first half, but two goals in three minutes after the break from Paz and Oli turned the scoreline around. The Andalusians are now four points ahead of second placed Alavés after the Vitoria based side lost 1-0 at Tenerife, their third defeat in a row. Oscar Alvarez got the only goal in the second half. (12.02.05)