The second division looks like being another closely fought contest if today's results are anything to go by. Six games were brought forward to Saturday, but none of the favourites won and three sides picked up their first victories of the season. Real Madrid Castilla were one of those three, coming from a goal down to beat second placed Albacete 2-1. Parri put the visitors in front with a shot from the edge of the area after picking up a pass from Diego Alegre, and the visitors were on top for the rest of the first half. But half time substitute Bueno levelled the scores after Javi García set him up soon after the restart, and Rayco headed the winner from Borja Valero's cross later on.

Málaga lost for the second match in a row, a Pablo Couñago strike not enough to prevent a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Numancia. The visitors went ahead early on, a shaky defence letting in Bolo to beat Arnau. And midway through the first half Fran Moreno took advantage of a mistake by the keeper to score the second. Couñago got one back on the stroke of half time on the rebound, but although substitute Jonathan Valle went close a couple of times, the Andalusians were unable to break down Andoni Goikoetxea's well ordered defence.

Alavés did better though, a 0-1 victory over Vecindario taking them up to fourth spot. Both sides had chances in the first half, Mario Prieto and Ciani for the locals and Astudillo and Ogbeche for the visitors, but Caprintero headed Edu Alonso's cross past Keleman early in the second half for what was to be the only goal of the game. Bonani had to be at his best after that though as the visitors had Alonso sent off for a second bookable offence seven timutes from the end.

Ciudad Murcia failed to take advantage of the slip ups by their rivals, losing 1-0 to their struggling neighbours Lorca. Jauregui made an important save from visiting striker Goitom early on, and Ramos got the goal to give his side their first victory of the new campaign after good work by Kiko ten minutes in to the second half.

Elche finally got their season under way, Peragón giving them a much needed 1-0 win over Sporting Gijón. Visiting keeper Roberto had to be at his best to keep out several efforts from the home side in the first half, but the Asturians also had their chances after the restart. Gastón Casas hit the post for Elche, and a few minutes later Peragón picked up a rebound to give his side the much needed three points.

Ponferradina ran out 3-0 winners against Las Palmas in the battle between two of the newly promoted sides, leaving the Canary Islanders further down in the relegation zone. Raponi opened the scoring on the half hour mark with a shot which Nacho González couldn't stop entering the net, and David García scored an own goal minutes later. Márquez hit the bar at the other end, but Risso headed in Fran's cross later in the second half to wrap things up. (16.09.06)

Cádiz lost ground on the leading group after a 2-1 defeat at bottom club Almería on Sunday lunchtime. Michel opened the scoring for the hosts in the sixth minute after Crusat set him up, and Corona made it two early in the second half following a good team move. Mané was sent off though for a foul on Enrique some six metres outside of the area, and to the surprise of everyone the referee awarded a penalty which Abraham Paz converted. There was no further score though, even though the home side had Bruno sent off as well near the end for a second yellow card.

The defeats for their closest rivals meant that Xerez found themselves three points clear at the top of the table at the end of the weekend. Pepe Murcias side thrashed Salamanca 5-0 on Sunday evening, with Geijo opening the scoring in the twentieth minute after Camuñas set him up. Quique Martín hit the bar at the other end, but the hosts scored two more either side of half time, Camuñas beating Felip with a header and Geijo connecting with Ismael's cross for his second of the night. Luque combined with Geijo to make it four, and Rubén Pazos rounded things off with a header from a corner to give the Andalusians maximum points and a 10-0 goal average in their first four games.

Real Murcia moved up to fifth, level with third placed Cádiz on points, after a 2-1 win against Castellón. Visiting keeper Oliva made a string of saves and Pedro León hit the bar as Lucas Alcaraz's side dominated the first half, but the visitors were awarded two penalties after the restart, both for fouls by Cuadrado on Mario Rosas. Notario saved the first from Tavares but Mario scored the second to put Castellón ahead. A few minutes later though Zamora was sent off with a straight red, and the home side equalised when Pedro León drilled home the resulting free kick. A third penalty, this time to the locals after Txiki fouled Antoñito, allowed Aranda to score the winner, and the visitors were left with nine men after Xavi Moré picked up a second booking.

Valladolid drop below Murcia after they were defeated 0-1 by Poli Ejido. The only goal came in the ninth minute when Marcos put through his own net follwing Usero's corner, the second own goal they have conceded in four games. After that the locals tried everything to equalise, but the visitors' defence held fast and Kike produced two or three first class saves late on, in particular from Capdevila, to ensure his side the three points.

Valladolid stay on six points, together with eight other teams including Tenerife and Hércules, the Canary Islanders recording their second victory of the season after beating the Alicante based side 3-2. Frankowski put the locals ahead on the stroke of half time after a mistake by Agassa, and Culebras made it two from Luis Gil's free kick soon after the restart. Juanlu pulled one back though almost immediately before Tote latched on to a mistake by Bernardo to equalise, but four minutes later the hosts were back in front when Ayoze beat Agassa for the third time. (17.09.06)