Second division - day 38

Now that Real Murcia and Valladolid have ensured promotion, the fight seems to have gone out of their game. Both lost on Sunday, Murcia falling 0-2 to Elche in the lunchtime kick off match, with Peragón and Miguel getting the goals for David Vidal's side. And Valladolid lost 2-1 to Castellón later in the day, Natalio and Tabares scoring to overturn Manchev's early strike. Medilibar's side have only taken two points from their last four matches.

Castellón move on to 50 points, which is generally considered safe, albeit that they are only six points ahead of Castilla with four games still to go. Málaga also reached the magic figure after coming from behind to beat Tenerife 1-2 with second half goals from Hidalgo and Gascón. And Albacete and Ciudad Murcia are now mathematically clear after drawing 2-2 to occupy sixth and fourth spot respectively. Lorca are virtually down though after they drew 0-0 at Cádiz. (20.05.07)

With four games still to go, the promotion race is over in the second division! Almeria beat Ponferradina 3-1 on Saturday evening to ensure their place in the top flight next season, joining the already promoted Valladolid and Murcia. There was a moment of doubt when Rubén Vega put the visitors ahead early on, but goals from Ortíz and Kalu Uche turned the scoreline around before the break, and Corona wrapped things up at the end.

Changes at the bottom though, where Alavés climbed out of the relegation spots after coming from a goal down to beat Poli Ejido 2-1. Toedtli had given the Andalusians the lead from the penalty spot before the break, but Wellington forced López Ramos to put through his own net and then scored the winner himself near the end. Their place in the bottom four is taken by Castilla, who suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of the already relegated Vecindario.

The last relegation place is still wide open though, and Las Palmas are only three points clear of the drop zone after they lost 3-0 to Numancia. Hércules virtually ensured another year in the second division after beating fourth placed Xerez 2-0, a good result for new coach Paquito, and Sporting Gijón also pulled away from the danger area with a 2-1 win over Salamanca, their second win in a row at home. (19.05.07)