Second division, week 38

Leaders Celta were beaten 3-1 by bottom club Pontevedra in their Sunday lunchtime local derby, a third defeat in a row for Fernando Vázquez's side. Jandro equalised Rubén Reyes's early strike, but although Reyes was sent off after the break, Javi Rodríguez and Juan Jesús gave the locals three vital points. Alavés took advantage later in the evening to overtake the Galicians and move to the top of the table after beating Almería 0-1. Rubén Navarro got the only goal eight minutes from the end to keep up a run of seven wins in a row. The result left Paco Flores's side down in the bottom four by the end of the weekend.

Recreativo were unable to capitalize on the defeats of Celta and Cádiz though, their 0-0 draw against a Xerez side who ended the match with nine men leaving them level with Eibar, still three points adrift of the promotion spots. However with four games to go, they are one of only five teams who are in with a chance of going up. Valladolid are already out of the running after five previous games without a win, but they did at least improve their position in the table with a 3-0 victory over Málaga B, veteran striker Víctor scoring twice. Meanwhile Ciudad Murcia kept themselves clear of the drop zone after beating Racing Ferrol by the same score, Güiza getting one of the goals to take his tally to 20 for the season.

The fight to avoid promotion is hotting up, with Salamanca climbing out of the bottom four, above Almería on goal difference, after beating an unmotivated Elche 0-2. Jaime and Deus got the goals to take the pressure off coach Andoni Goikoetxea. Córdoba's revival continued with a 2-1 win over Poli Ejido, their third win in a row taking them to within two points of safety. Terrassa dropped down to next to bottom spot though after losing 0-2 at home to Real Murcia, a Julio Alvarez penalty and a strike from Iván Alonso leaving them just two points above bottom club Pontevedra. (22.05.05)

Third placed Cádiz suffered a set-back in their push for promotion when they were beaten 2-0 by Tenerife on Saturday evening. Both goals were scored by youth international Gavilán late in the first half. The Andalusians are now only three points above Eibar, who revived their hopes with a 1-0 victory over Sporting Gijón. It was a close fought match though, substitute Iñigo only getting the winner three minutes from the end. Elsewhere Lleida virtually made sure of staying up after beating Catalan neighbours Nàstic 2-0, Txema and Crusat getting the goals in a five minute period around the hour mark. (21.05.05)