Second division - day 36

Valladolid's impressive unbeaten run finally came to an end after they were beaten 3-2 by promotion rivals Almería. Medilibar's side appeared to be on their way to their thirtieth game without defeat after Víctor and Sisi put them two up shortly before the break. But Soriano and Kalu Uche levelled the scores with goals a minute either side of half time, and Iñaki Bea put through his own net later in the second half to take Almería back up to second. Both they and Murcia could be mathematically promoted next weekend.

For what it's worth, Xerez are now fourth after a 1-2 win over local rivals Cádiz. Geijo and Castaño put the visitors two up before Vella pulled one back late on. Ponferradina kept their slim hopes of survival alive after beating Tenerife 0-1. Pereira got the only goal to take the Castilla-León based side to within four points of nineteenth placed Alavés, and four of Sporting, Málaga and Castilla. Meanwhile Castellón and Poli Ejido edged away from the danger zone after drawing 0-0. (06.05.07)

Real Murcia could be mathematically promoted next weekend after a 1-0 victory over neighbours Lorca on Saturday evening. English striker Noel-Williams headed the only goal after coming on as substitute in the second half, leaving the visitors twelve points away from safety. Meanwhile fourth placed Ciudad Murcia were held to a 1-1 draw at Hércules, Tote saving a point for the Alicante based side with a late strike after Manolo had put the visitors ahead.

Albacete are up to fifth after beating Sporting Gijón 2-1, Calle and Pablo García putting the Manchegans two up before Congo got one back late on. The defeat leaves the Asturians just one point above the drop zone after nine games without a win. Elsewhere regional rivals Numancia and Salamanca inched closer to safety after a 0-0 draw, a result which keeps both in the top half of the table.

Vecindario are the first team to be relegated after a 1-4 defeat at the hands of Elche left them 20 points adrift with six games to go. Gastón Casas got two of the goals to take David Vidal's side up into the top half of the table. Castilla are out of the bottom four though after a 2-1 victory over Málaga, De la Red getting the winning goal in injury time after Negredo had cancelled out Couñago's earlier strike. Their place in the relegation zone is taken by Alavés, who threw away an early lead to lose 1-2 to Las Palmas. (05.05.07)