Real Murcia consolidated second spot with a 1-1 draw against managerless Alavés on Saturday evening. Fabri had walked out of the Vitoria based club midweek, and Dmitri Piterman was still looking for someone prepared to be his fourth coach of the season. But his side went ahead in only the second minute when Aloisi converted a penalty kick after he himself had been brought down in the area. A quarter of an hour later though Iván Alonso took advantage of a defensive mistake to level the scores and save a point for his side.

Cádiz lost more ground on the top three after a 2-0 defeat at Castellón, who squeezed out of the drop zone pending Sunday's games as a result. The Andalusians had already lost in the first meeting between these sides this season as well as being knocked out of the cup by them, and they went behind on the quarter hour mark when Rodri beat Armando with a long shot. Just before the break Medina had a possible equaliser disallowed for a non existent offside, which cost coach José González a red card for protesting, and Antonio López wrapped things up with a second goal for the home side after the restart.

Las Palmas moved further away from the bottom four after a 2-1 win over Málaga, a result which takes them level with their opponents on points. Víctor turned Calleja's cross into his own net to put the visitors into the lead in the first half, but Marcos Márquez headed home Arriaga's cross to square the match in the first minute after the restart, and Aythami headed the winner from a Trashorras free kick. Málaga ended with ten men after Hidalgo was sent off for something he said to the referee.

Albacete are now safely up in mid-table after beating Tenerife 2-0. Gato started things off in only the seventh minute, deflecting a shot from Zahinos into the net with his head. Zahinos and Oscar Pérez were both sent off for second bookable offences either side of half time, leaving both teams with ten men, and Barkero wrapped things up when he headed in a Biagini cross on a rapid breakaway with five minutes to go. (03.03.07)

Third placed Almería took another big step towards promotion after beating Hércules 0-2 on Sunday lunchtime. Both sides had chances before substitute Mena beat Falcón on the hour mark to open the scoring. And another substitute Kalu Uche wrapped things up, connecting with Ortíz's cross to notch up the second ten minutes later. (04.03.07)

Valladolid made it 21 league games without defeat after drawing 1-1 at neighbours Salamanca, the last team to beat them half a season ago. Both sides had chances in the first half, Braulio and Vela for the locals and Marcos and Manchev for the visitors. Both goals though came from late penalties, Víctor getting the first for the leaders after David Charcos had handled in the area, and Quique Martín replying for their hosts after García Calvo pushed over Dano Tortolero.

The top three have opened up a six point gap over Numancia, who climbed up to fourth following a 3-0 victory over bottom club Vecindario. Bolo opened the scoring on the half hour mark after Fukuda had hit the crossbar, and Fukuda himself headed the second from Julio Alvarez's free kick before the break. The locals were left with ten men when Sietes was shown a straight red, but Gorka Brit made it three late on after Keleman could only push out another Alvarez free kick, and the visitors ended with nine after Carrizo and Morales were both sent off in injury time.

Xerez are now sixth following a 1-0 win over Lorca, who drop further into the relegation zone as a result. Abel Aguilar hit the bar for the Andalusians before Camuñas got on the end of Mendoza's cross to head them into the lead shortly before the break. Geijo missed a chance to make it two after the restart, but local keeper Chema had to save efforts from Maikel and Ramos late on to ensure the three points for his side.

There are only nine points though separating Xerez from the first relegation spot, which is once again occupied by Castellón after Real Madrid Castilla beat Sporting Gijón 0-1. The Asturians have still not scored at home since the new year, although Congo, Barral and Michel could all have put them ahead before the break had Codina not been at his best. Tébar got the only goal of the game early in the second half though after a mistake by Roberto, and Guillén and Congo were sent off later on.

Ponferradina stay down in the bottom four despite drawing 1-1 at Poli Ejido. Ortíz opened the scoring for the locals on the quarter hour mark after Rubio blocked an effort from Víctor Salas, and Tena headed against the woodwork before Baha equalised following a corner. Tena could have given Poli the lead after the restart, but in the end they were grateful for a point after Risso had a late strike disallowed for a much protested offside.

Meanwhile Elche continued their recent good run with a 1-1 draw at Ciudad Murcia. Both goals came from the penalty spot in the first half, Peragón putting the visitors ahead after Ceballos fouled Miguel Cedrón, and Luque equalising after Fernando Niño pushed Saizar. The home side had several chances to win the game after the restart, but in the end they were unable to make it seven victories on the trot in their Condomina stadium. (04.03.07)