Four matches on Saturday evening, curiously all of which began with goals for the away sides. Real Murcia were the only team to take the three points though, their 0-2 victory over Málaga B taking them off the bottom of the table and saving the head of manager Manolo Preciado for the time being. Argentine youth international Nico Medina got both goals, the first a header from Carrera's cross in the opening minute and the second after picking up a loose clearance on the stroke of half time. Málaga B's only reply was a long shot from Abel which Juanmi had little problem with, and their run of three wins in a row came to an ignominious end.

Leaders Poli Ejido were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Sporting Gijón, but still managed to hold on to top spot. The visitors took the lead on the quarter hour mark after Urbano brought down Jeffrey in the area, Ismael converting the resulting penalty. Pepe Mel (who later on erned himself a red card) brought on three changes early in the second half, but found himself a man short when Iván Romero picked up an injury. But even so substitute Manolo Hidalgo equalised with a low shot, and Toedtli could have won it for the Andalusians had Roberto not been quick off his line.

There was a similar result as well in the Canary Islands between Tenerife and Basque side Eibar, who moved up into the top three pending Sunday's games. The game was surrounded in controversy though, referee Paradas Romero awarding a goal to Eibar's Llorente midway through the first half, even though the ball didn't cross the line when his shot bounced down off the crossbar. The decision left the home side stunned, and Keleman had to be at his best to stop Varela from extending the lead. But Cristo picked up a pass from Keko to level the scores at 1-1 after the break and at least save a point. The referee's decision was still riling them though, and Corona picked up a one match ban for insulting the officials after the match.

A thrilling and at times nervy match as well between Pontevedra and Terrassa, where the Galicians turned around a 0-2 scoreline only for the visitors to level at 3-3 with a last minute penalty. Juan Carlos opened the scoring for the Catalans and set up a second for Maikel ten minutes before the break, but Javi Rodríguez made it all square with strikes either side of half time, the first after Morales failed to hold on to Canabal's cross and the second a header from Xaco's centre. Canabal put the Galicians ahead after controlling Xaco's through ball, but with the locals seemingly on route for a first home win of the season, the referee awarded a hotly disputed penalty for a foul by Salcedo on Cristian which Juan Carlos converted. (16.10.04)

Promotion favourites Celta are going from bad to worse, and they find themselves in the bottom half of the table after the weekend's results. The Galicians were beaten 2-0 on Sunday lunchtime by a Cádiz side who themselves are only a point outside of the top three after their sixth game in a row without defeat. Visiting manager replaced an angry Gustavo López with Nagore midway through the first half, but virtually his first touch was a bad back pass from the halfway line which Oli intercepted to run on to open the scoring. Canobbio, Capucho, Vryzas and Juan Sánchez were unable to beat Armando (who has now gone four games without letting in a goal), and Pavoni wrapped things up with a diving header from Varela's cross early in the second half.

Xerez moved back up to second place, a point behind Poli Ejido, after beating Ciudad Murcia 0-2 on Sunday evening. Mena opened the scoring against the run of play midway through the first half, and Raúl Molina made it two just seconds after the restart after a mistake by the local defence. Mena hit the post soon afterwards, but Ciudad could have pulled one back when "Spiderman" Ubeda's strike was disallowed for a dubious offside. Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o was in the crowd to see his younger brother David make his debut for the home side late on, although it wasn't the best of days for them as they join their city rivals Real Murcia in the relegation zone.

Elche missed out on a chance to go to the top after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Almería, although they do stay in joint third place in the table. Yosu Uribe's side started with confidence after two wins in a row and dominated the match from start to finish, with Rubén hitting the post and Nino firing just wide before the break. But visiting keeper Valerio kept out efforts from Moisés, Peragón and Nino in the second half to save a valuable point for his side which keeps them two points above the relegation spots.

Elche are level on points and goal average with Racing Ferrol, who beat Dmitri Piterman's Alavés 2-1 to clock up six games without defeat. All three goals came in the second half, with Flavio Barros opening the scoring when he flicked the ball past Bonano after Cobos headed back a long cross. Bodipo got on the end of centre from the left to steer in the equaliser, but Juanito struck the winner five minutes later and Flavio could have increased the lead when he hit the post near the end.

Valladolid continue to struggle since being relegated last season, and they only saved a 1-1 draw against newly promoted Lleida thanks to late equaliser from Víctor. Sergio Kresic's side were unable to take advantage of early chances, and they found themselves behind when Nakor beat Bizzarri in the Catalans' first attack. Top scorer Aduriz had a penalty appeal waved away before the break but was awarded one soon after the restart after Rubén brought him down. However an excellent Eduardo saved his spot kick, and looked to be on his way to a clean sheet before Hornos set up Víctor for the equaliser.

Valladolid are only one point above the relegation spots though, level on points with Recreativo who were beaten 1-0 by Salamanca. The home side were on top in the early minutes, but Tom had to turn Loren's header on to the bar from a dangerous free kick early on. Aurelio put them in front though with a header from Arpón's corner, and they could have increased the lead if the referee had not turned down clear penalty appeals either side of the interval. The result takes Salamanca out of the drop zone, a point above their rivals.

Bottom club Córdoba beat fellow strugglers Gimnastic Tarragona 2-0 for their first win of the season, a good start for new manager Roberto Fernández who had replaced the sacked Esteban Vigo midweek. Both goals came after the break, Montenegro beating Felip with a shot on the turn on the hour mark, and Selu getting on the end of a long throw by Juanmi to head the second ten minutes later. Bolo hit the woodwork for Nàstic in between, but Villa wasted a chance to make it three near the end. (17.10.04)