Celta are back on track for promotion after a 2-1 win over struggling Terrassa ended their run of three defeats in a row. It was not a comfortable victory though, and either side could have scored in a lively first half. Substitute Jesús Perera finally broke the ice just a couple of minutes after coming on midway through the second half, picking up a pass from Canobbio to beat Valle. But two minutes later the visitors were awarded a penalty for a push by Berizzo on Navas, and Juan Carlos stepped up to level the scores from the spot. The Catalans' joy only lasted a minute though before Perera restored the lead after the defence deflected a free kick, and Celta held on for a much needed three points. Nerves flared in the final minutes though, with Vryzas (two yellows), Giovanella (straight red) and Charcos (straight red) getting themselves sent off in injury time.

The result takes the Galicians level at the top with Alavés, who were held to a 1-1 draw by improving Córdoba. The Vitoria based side dominated at the start, De Lucas bringing a good save out of Saja and then shooting wide before setting up Rubén Navarro for the opening goal midway through the first half. The ex Espanyol and Chelsea midfielder missed a sitter on the stroke of half time, but after the break the visitors came back, Bonano having to save from Anderson before the Brazilian striker levelled the scores with a header from close range. Alavés were left with nine men when Bodipo picked up a second yellow card and then De Lucas was shown a straight red, but Córdoba also lost a man when Pierini was sent off for a second bookable offence. The game ended a few minutes later, the point taking the Andalusians to within a point of safety pending Sunday's games.

Málaga B came back from a goal down to beat Tenerife 2-1 in a match which was switched to Antequera due to construction work in the Rosaleda stadium. Keko, who had hit the post with a deflected shot earlier on, put the visitors ahead just before half time with an angled shot. But Paco Esteban tested Keleman at the other end, and midway through the second half he made it all square when he got on the end of Diego Castro's cross to beat the keeper. And five minutes later Iván Hernández struck what was to prove the winner to take his side five points clear of the drop zone.

Lleida virtually ensured they will be staying up after they held an unmotivated Sporting Gijón to a 1-1 draw. The Asturians had been protesting before the match that they had not been paid for four months, and it showed in their play as the Catalans went into the lead on the quarter hour mark, Català heading past Roberto following a corner. There was little action at either end though before Arthuro got ahead of the defence to meet Juan's cross and head home the equaliser ten minutes from the end.

A 1-1 draw as well between Real Murcia and Xerez, both of whom ended the day in mid-table. The locals had the better of the opening minutes, Acciari heading an early Julio Alvarez free kick against the bar before setting up Iván Alonso to open the scoring in the twentieth minute. Casuco's side missed several opportunities to wrap up the match after the restart, but they were let off the hook when Cachorro put a penalty wide after Chico had been fouled. However Enrique Martín turned to twins David and Sergio Narvaez (nephews of ex Atlético striker Kiko), and David beat debutant keeper Emilio to save a point for the Andalusians. (28.05.05)

Fourth and fifth placed sides Recreativo and Eibar cancelled each other out in a dull 0-0 draw on Sunday lunchtime, a result which means that Celta and Alavés could both be mathematically promoted if they win their games next weekend. The visitors dominated the first half, Luque saving well from youth international David Silva in the tenth minute. Quique Hernández brought on Manu and Casas at the break though, and Xavi Jiménez and Uche both come close to scoring as Recre got back in the match. But the Basques could have won it in the end had Luque not saved from Silva and Iñigo, and had Iñigo not shot over the bar when free in front of goal in the last minute. Both sides ended the game on 66 points, still two away from third placed Cádiz, who play later in the day. (29.05.05)

The third promotion spot is not so clear though after Cádiz were also held to a scoreless draw by Ciudad Murcia later in the evening, and the Andalusians remain just three points ahead of the two chasing teams. The visitors were also in need of points, in their case to avoid the drop zone, and Joao Paulo and Güiza both put Armando to the test early on. But after that the home side were on top, Fleurquín and Mirosavljevic both going close before the break. Armando was in action again either side of half time to keep out Luque and Joao Paulo, but Enrique, De Gomar and in the last minute Pavoni all wasted chances to send the 20,000 crowd home happy. Ciudad (who had Dani Bautista sent off near the end) were content to leave with a point though which keeps them two points clear of the bottom four.

The fight to avoid relegation is even closer after this weekend's results, and only six points now separate the bottom six with three games to go. Pontevedra moved off the bottom of the table after beating local rivals Racing Ferrol 1-2, and they are now only four points away from safety. Juan Jesús gave the visitors the lead early in the second half after Bello Amigo could only push out a shot from Charles, and could have scored a second just a couple of minutes later if the keeper had not been at his best. Jorge Pina equalised though for the hosts with twelve minutes to go, and their opponents were left with ten men a minute later when Luciano picked up a second booking. But Capdevila latched on to a pass from Alex Alves to restore the lead, and numbers were evened up when Mario Bermejo was sent off for protesting in the last minute.

Almería climbed out of the relegation zone after a 1-2 victory at Gimnastic Tarragona, a first win in six games for Paco Flores's side. Ortíz picked up a pass from Michel to open the scoring for the visitors against the run of play with just over a quarter of an hour gone, virtually their only attack in the first half. Local coach Luis César made two attacking changes at the break, and within five minutes Bolo had levelled the scores. But two minutes later Michel set up Ortíz again for him to score his second of the night, and Iban Espadas hit the post soon afterwards as the visitors came close to extending their lead.

Almería's neighbours Poli Ejido are virtually safe after a 1-0 victory over Elche, and they ended the weekend seven points clear of the relegation spots. Pepe Mel's side had not won in eight games, but they started well, and shortly after Calado tested Caballero with a free kick, the Portuguese midfielder went one better to beat the keeper on the quarter hour mark. Toedtli, Vucko and Paco García could have added to the scoreline later on, but they had done enough to secure the three points and move away from the danger zone.

Salamanca dropped back down into the bottom four though after losing 1-2 to neighbours Valladolid, their third defeat in a row in the Helmántico stadium. Andoni Goikoetxea's side were unable to break down a well ordered defence, and found themselves behind ten minutes before the break when Sousa beat Jon Ander with a shot from outside of the area. The coach brought on Zé Tó at half time, and within two minutes he latched on to a loose ball to equalise. But with the game coming to an end Oscar Sánchez caught the keeper off guard with a long free kick to win the game for the visitors. (29.05.05)