Second division, day 25

Recreativo top the table this weekend after a 0-1 victory at Valladolid on Sunday lunchtime. The Andalusians survived an onslaught in the first half, but won the match thanks to a Baraja own goal around half time. The defeat signalled the end for local coach Marcos Alonso, who was fired soon after the match ended. Last week's leaders Xerez drop down a place after they were held to a 1-1 draw by an improving Numancia, and they still have not won in 2006. Pedro Ríos appeared to have given them a victory at last when he converted a second half penalty, but Hamilton Ricard made it all square a couple of minutes from the end. Meanwhile Levante are back up to third after beating Real Murcia 1-0, Reggi getting the only goal midway through the first half.

Castilla also confirmed their place in the top half of the table with a 0-1 win at Tenerife, a ground which has not been fortunate for Real Madrid in the past. Young striker Roberto Soldado got the winner a quarter of an hour from the end, his 13th of the season taking him three goals clear of his nearest rivals for the second division Pichichi trophy. Elche drop further down the table though after Poli Ejido came back from a goal down to beat them 2-1, a result which takes the Andalusians level with Lleida and three points ahead of Racing Ferrol after the two sides drew 1-1. (19.02.06)

Lorca made it up in to the second division promotion spots for the first time in their brief history after a 3-0 win over Albacete. The visitors had won their last four games, but second half strikes from Bertrán and Sánchez (twice) clinched it, even though the Murcia based side were playing with ten men. Nàstic are just a point behind though after they beat struggling Eibar 0-1, the seventh away win in a row for the Catalans. Irurzun got the only goal from the penalty spot in the first half.

A Moisés penalty was enough as well to give Hércules a 1-0 victory over Castellón, their first win in eleven games. It was a good start for caretaker coach José Bordelás, who took over from Mandia after he was fired midweek. The other two games on Saturday evening ended without goals, Ciudad Murcia and Almería cancelling each other out in a 0-0 draw and Sporting Gijón unable to do more than take a point from their home game against bottom club Málaga B. (18.02.06)