Second division - day 20

Xerez opened up a one point gap at the top of the table after drawing 1-1 at Huesca, although they will be ruing not being further ahead after Nico Medina equalised for the locals in the last minute. A first half strike from Momo had given the Andalusians the lead. Only three points separate the top eight though, with Tenerife moving up in to the promotion spots after a 4-1 win over Girona. The Canary Islanders were three up at the break through Nino, Kome and Richi. And although Raúl Martín got one back against his old side, Nino wrapped things up in the last minute.

Castellón are fifth after beating Eibar 0-1. Dani Pendín got the only goal early in the second half to leave the Basque side down in the relegation spots. Alavés started their match at fellow strugglers Alicante down in the bottom four, but a 0-2 win took them back above Córdoba. Pablo Casar and De Marcos got the goals in a two minute period midway through the second half. Elche moved clear of the danger zone as well after beating Gimnàstic earlier in the day, David Fuster getting the first on the quarter hour mark and setting up Saúl for the second after the restart. (18.01.09)

Defeats for the second and third placed sides on Saturday evening. Zaragoza were beaten 1-0 by Córdoba, a first half José Vega goal enough to take the Andalusians out of the relegation spots despite playing the last half hour with ten men. And Salamanca lost 2-3 to an improving Murcia side who are also out of the bottom four as a result. Capdevila gave the visitors the lead, and although goals either side of half time from Quique Martín and Miku turned the scoreline around, Bruno and De Lucas won it for José Miguel Campos's team.

Hércules move above Salamanca to third spot after a 0-3 victory at Albacete. Abel Aguilar put them ahead in the twentieth minute, and Tote and Farinós (with a last minute penalty) wrapped things up. Real Sociedad are just a point outside of the promotion spots though after a 0-2 victory at Levante, Agirretxe and Xabi Prieto getting the goals in each half.

Celta are level with the Basque side after beating Sevilla Atlético 2-0, Michu and Ghilas scoring twice in the last five minutes. If the Galicians win their game in hand against Murcia next Wednesday they will be in the top three. Rayo Vallecano and Las Palmas are also not far behind, although they cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw. The goals came in the second half, Pablo Sánchez putting the Canary Islanders ahead before Aganzo equalised. (17.01.09)