Second division, day 17

Recreativo moved back above Xerez on goal difference after beating Almería 2-0 on Sunday. Xavi Jiménez and Gastón Casas got the goals in the second half to open up a seven point gap over third placed Valladolid, who lost 2-0 to Lorca. It was a first defeat in twelve games for Marcos Alonso's side, but they stay in the promotion spots after none of the six teams immediately below them were able to win. Four of those played on Saturday, and Elche and Hércules cancelled each other out a 1-1 draw on Sunday lunchtime, Moisés returning to his old club to level the scores from the penalty spot after Frankowski had give the home side the lead. Nàstic failed to take advantage though, and they remain in mid-table after drawing 1-1 at home to bottom club Castellón. (18.12.05)

Xerez returned to the top of the table pending Recreativo's game on Sunday with a 0-1 win over Real Murcia. Camuñas got the only goal of the game in the first minute, and visiting keeper Julio Iglesias saved a Julio Alvarez penalty after the break. It was another low scoring day though, with only six goals being scored in the seven games which kicked off on Saturday. Levante and Sporting Gijón both started their match with a chance to move up in to the promotion spots, but in the end neither could catch Valladolid after drawing 0-0. And two of the teams relegated from last season, Albacete and Numancia, also cancelled each other out in a scoreless draw.

Real Madrid Castilla took advantage to move up in to the top half of the table with a 0-1 win at Málaga B, a result which left the home team down in the bottom four. Three sides are level with the Andalusians though, including Lleida and Eibar, who also drew 0-0 on the night, and Racing Ferrol, who shared the points in a 1-1 draw with Ciudad Murcia earlier in the evening. Poli Ejido move away from the danger zone though after beating Tenerife 2-0, Keko and Pedro Largo getting the goals in the first half to move above the Canary Islanders in the table. (17.12.05)