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Second division play-offs, semi-finals, second leg

Valladolid will play Alcorcón over two legs to decide which of the two will join Deportivo and Celta in the first division. Valladolid beat Córdoba 3-0 in the second leg of their semi-final, and after just missing out on direct promotion they must now be favourites to go up. The Andalusians were the better side in the opening minutes though, Charles shooting wide, and Pepe Díaz and López Silva bringing good saves out of Dani Hernández. But the locals gradually won back control, Javi Guerra shooting in to the side netting and Oscar having a penalty appeal turned down before the break. Soon after the restart a header from Rueda brushed the crossbar, and a couple of minutes later Oscar ran on to a long punt from the local keeper to hold off his marker and fire a shot over Alberto García. A quarter of an hour later Javi Guerra made it two after controlling a cross from Balenziaga, and Jofre wrapped things up in the closing minutes with a high lob over the keeper after picking up a pass from Alberto Bueno.

Alcorcón will be Valladolid's rivals in the play-off final after they eliminated Hércules on the away goal rule thanks to a 0-0 draw later in the evening. The Madrid based side were only promoted to the second division two seasons ago, but they have been unbeaten in their Santo Domingo stadium since November. The 1-1 draw from the first leg meant that the visitors needed to score, but the early chances fell to the locals, Borja and Nagore shooting wide and Borja having a penalty appeal turned down. Adrián Sardinero did steer a header over the bar at the other end before the break, but even with Tote and Urko Vera joining the attack, Hércules hardly troubled Manu Herrera after that. Later on in the game Oriol Riera fired the best chance of the evening wide of the post, and the game ended with a frustrated Aganzo getting himself sent off for a second booking. Anquela had taken his side to the final, and they are only two games away from joining neighbours Getafe and Rayo in the big time. (10.06.12)