Second division - day 37

Almería will have to wait another week or so before joining Valladolid and Murcia in the first division after they lost 3-1 to struggling Lorca on Sunday lunchtime. Bermejo's goal was not enough to cancel out earlier strikes by Barroso and De Carlos, and Barroso wrapped things up for the home side later on. Unai Emery's side are 14 points clear though of Xerez, who moved back up to fourth after beating Castellón 1-0 with an early goal from Jesús Navas's brother, Marco.

Valladolid may already be promoted, but they are still looking to tie up the points to ensure them of the second division title. They could only draw 2-2 though with Cádiz, Manchev putting them ahead twice but Lobos and then Sesma pegging them back. Elsewhere Poli Ejido took another step closer to safety after a 2-0 win over Hércules, who drop below them in the table. (13.05.07)

Real Murcia will be joining Valladolid in the first division next season after drawing 1-1 at Ponferradina on Saturday evening. Iván Alonso put them ahead, and although Baha equalised in injury time, a point was enough to ensure promotion. Almería could join them as well if they win tomorrow, leaving only the relegation spots to be decided.

Murcia's city neighbours Ciudad Murcia dealt a blow to Alavés, Goitom getting a hat-trick in a 5-1 victory which takes the locals up to fourth and leaves the Vitoria based side further down in the drop zone. Castilla are still only a point above Alavés though after they lost 3-2 to Salamanca, Braulio scoring twice for the home side to take them up to seventh.

Málaga moved four points clear of the bottom four after coming from two goals down to beat already relegated Vecindario 3-2, Iván Rosado giving them the win with two late goals. And Sporting Gijón are level with them after a late 1-0 victory over Numancia, Congo scoring the winner despite the fact that the Asturians were down to nine men.

Mixed fortunes for the other Canary Island sides, with Tenerife moving up safely to mid-table after beating Elche 0-1 thanks to a late Ayoze penalty, but Las Palmas getting dragged back into the relegation struggle after losing 0-1 to Albacete, the winning goal also coming from the penalty spot scored by Calle. The Manchegans are now fifth. (12.05.07)