Second division - day 9

Málaga are back on top of the second division after a 1-0 victory over Xerez on Sunday evening. It was a hard fought game though, Rossato getting the only goal on the half hour mark. Earlier in the day Numancia drew 2-2 at Celta to consolidate third spot, a Brit penalty and Moreno free kick twice levelling the scores after Lequi and then Jorge (also with a penalty) had put López Caro's side ahead.

Sevilla Atlético permitting, the top three have opened up a six point gap over the closest promotion contenders after Hércules beat Racing Ferrol 1-0. Mariño scored the only goal early on to take the Alicante based side level with the Galicians. Córdoba also join the group on 14 points though after a 0-2 win at Alavés. Asen and Arteaga got the goals either side of half time to take the Andalusians' unbeaten run to six games. And Tenerife are just a point behind after beating Eibar 4-2, with Arruabarrena and Nino getting a brace apiece, both including a penalty.

Elsewhere Albacete moved off the bottom of the table to the detriment of Las Palmas after a 0-2 win at Gimnàstic. Xavi Jiménez got the first in the seventh minute, and Fran Moreno wrapped things up three minutes from the end. Salamanca are out of the bottom four thanks to a 1-0 victory over Castellón, Dañobeitia taking advantage of a defensive mistake to get the winner midway through the first half. They move above Poli Ejido and Xerez in the table. (21.10.07)

Sporting Gijón moved to the top of the table pending Málaga's game on Sunday after beating Real Sociedad 0-1. Diego Castro beat Riesgo three minutes from the end to keep up the Asturians' unbeaten record. Sevilla Atlético consolidated fourth spot after a 2-1 victory over the team immediately behind them in the table, Elche. All the goals came after the break, with Moreno and Alfaro putting the youngsters two up before José Vega got a last minute consolation for the away side.

The crisis at Cádiz continues, with the club languishing in the lower reaches of the table and the new president already threatening to walk out. And a change of coach seems to have done little to alter the situation after they were held to a 0-0 draw by next to bottom club Las Palmas. The Andalusians are now only a point above the drop zone after Granada 74 beat Poli Ejido 1-0 to move above them in the table. Javi Guerra got the only goal before the interval, but Moisés missed a last minute penalty which could have saved a point for the visitors. (20.10.07)