Second division - day 40

One more issue decided this weekend, Ponferradina joining Vecindario and Lorca in the second division B next season after losing 4-0 to Castellón. Natalio opened the scoring in the first half, and goals after the break from Tabares, Víctor (in his own net) and Aguirretxe ensured that the East coast team will be staying up.

The last relegation spot is still not decided, although it looks as if Castilla will be the side going down after they could only draw 2-2 against Real Murcia, who played most of the second half with nine men after having Samuel and then Marañon sent off. Adrián Martín and Richi had overturned Negredo's early strike, but Michel's side only scored once more through youngster Parejo.

With two games to go, Castilla remain four points behind Alavés, who lost 1-2 to Valladolid. Borja put the visitors ahead, and although Arthuro levelled the scores soon afterwards, Marcos got the winner to give the leaders their first victory in six matches. With direct goal average taking preference over general in Spain at the end of the season, Alavés and also Las Palmas would be ahead of Castilla if they finished level with them on points, which means that the Vitoria based side only need two draws and the Canary Islanders are already safe.

Málaga though still have a mathematical chance of being relegated as they have a worse head-to-head record against Castilla, although they would have to lose both their last games after they picked up a point in a 2-2 draw at Almería. They must be ruing the chance of a victory though after Hidalgo put them two up before second half strikes from Larrea and Kalu Uche pegged them back. Almería themselves still have a possibility of winning the second division title, although they are now five points behind Valladolid.

Elsewhere there were three games with nothing at stake, including a match between Numancia and Poli Ejido which the locals won 3-1 with two goals from Gorka Brit. Hércules drew 1-1 with already relegated Lorca, De Carlos equalising for the visitors after Calandria had given the home side the lead, and Albacete and Xerez drew 0-0. a result which left the hosts in eighth place and the Andalusians in sixth. (03.06.07)

The first division took a break this weekend for international matches, but the there was a full programme of second division matches, with four taking place on Saturday.

A thrilling game in Asturias, where Sporting Gijón ran out 4-3 winners over fourth placed Ciudad Murcia to virtually ensure their place in the second flight for another year. Barral got the winning goal after the visitors had taken an early lead and then twice pegged back the Asturians. Las Palmas were not so lucky though, a two goal lead against Salamanca seemingly enough until Math Gomes scored twice in the last three minutes to level at 2-2.

The two other Canary Island sides met each other, bottom club Vecindario clocking up their third win in a row after beating their hosts Tenerife 0-2. It was a fourth home defeat in a row for Casuco's side, and virtually ensured the coach will not be continuing at the end of the season. Cádiz did finally win at home though, their 3-1 victory over Elche giving them the three points in the Ramón de Carranza stadium for the first time in over three months. (02.06.07)