Second division, day 22

Recreativo moved up level on points with Xerez after beating Ciudad Murcia 1-0 on Sunday evening. Barber got the only goal in the second half to open up an eight point gap on third place. It seems nobody wants that other promotion spot though, and Lorca were the only one of eight chasing sides to win this weekend. Their 0-3 victory over Racing Ferrol takes them to within a point of Valladolid, who squeezed back up above Levante to third after drawing 2-2 at Real Murcia.

Almería's good run seems to have come to an end, and they were beaten 1-2 by an improving Numancia. And Elche only managed to salvage a late 1-1 draw at home to next to bottom side Eibar. Sporting Gijón didn't get a chance to improve their position though, their game at Albacete called off due to a heavy snowfall the night before. Meanwhile the fight to avoid relegation is warming up, Lleida pulling out of the bottom four after a 0-3 win at fellow strugglers Castellón, who ended the weekend just a place above Málaga B. (29.01.06)

A thrilling match at Valdebebas, where leaders Xerez were beaten 4-3 by Real Madrid Castilla. The locals were two up at the break with a De la Red strike and a Selu own goal, but goals from Guille, Ríos and Camuñas turned the scoreline around with five minutes to go. However De la Red and Jurado scored two more in the dying minutes to give the youngsters a last gasp win. The other three games on Saturday evening all ended in draws, with Levante moving up to third pending Sunday's matches after a 0-0 result at Poli Ejido. Nàstic missed out on a chance to move in to the promotion spots after they too draw 0-0 at home to Tenerife, and Málaga B and Hércules are both without a win for two months or so after sharing the points in a 1-1 scoreline. (28.01.06)