The play-offs for promotion to the second division changed their format this year, with the four by four mini-leagues being replaced by a straight knock out phase. The sixteen teams were divided into four cross-regional divisions, with semi-finals and finals to be played over two legs. Caution was the name of the game though in the first leg of the semi-finals with six of the eight matches ending all square, four of which without goals.

Alcalá and Ponferradina drew their group A tie 1-1, thanks largely to a great performance by visiting keeper Rubio. The visitors took the lead through Gorka in the eleventh minute, and held on until a few minutes from the end when Uriz put through his own net. The winner may well play Hércules, who are on track for a return to the second division after winning 0-1 at the North African enclave of Ceuta. The only goal of the game came from a Camara free kick at the start of the second half, but the game was overshadowed by red cards, with locals Basti and Platero and visitor Mora all getting sent off as well as Ceuta's assistant coach, ex Barcelona, Tottenham and Zaragoza midfielder Nayim.

There were no goals at all in a group B which is wide open. The match between Zamora and Sevilla B ended scoreless, with neither side really making much impression on the opposition goal. The best chance though fell to local striker Aiert, who hit the post in the second half. And an identical result between Castellón and Universidad Las Palmas, where the home side's Rodri crashed a free kick against the post in injury time.

Favourites Rayo Vallecano were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw at home to Real Unión in their group C match, and they will have an uphill struggle in Irún next weekend. Pablo Díaz had given the Madrid based side the lead when he got on the end of Iriney's cross in the first half, but Olmo scrambled home an equaliser six minutes from the end. A shock as well at Lorca, where the home side beat another of the favourites Alicante 1-0 to lead the tie going in to the second leg. Perona got the only goal just before the half hour mark, and the Murcia based side held on despite having Ramos sent off with twenty minutes to go.

Nobody managed to score either in the two group D matches, the two reserve sides Zaragoza B and Real Madrid B cancelling each other out in a 0-0 draw. Both keepers were the stars of the night, the home side's Miguel in particular keeping out Soldado and Codina stopping a last minute effort from Toledo. Burgos and Conquense also drew 0-0, a match which the locals could have won had the referee not turned down a blatant penalty appeal for a foul on local striker Goiria early on.

In the relegation play offs, Gramanet got the edge on Mirandés after a late goal from substitute Rubén Blaya gave them a 1-0 win, and Fuenlabrada lead Talavera 2-1, Prieto getting the winner from the penalty spot after Oscar Rio cancelled out Juli's earlier strike. (05.06.05)