Three matches in the second division on Saturday, mainly involving sides in the lower reaches of the table. Las Palmas moved away from the danger zone after beating Real Madrid Castilla 0-3, a result which took them a point above their opponents. Marcos Márquez headed a corner past Codina to open the scoring ten minutes into the second half, and Nacho Garro got on the end of a Trashorras free kick to head the second ten minutes from the end. Visiting keeper Pindado was only troubled by a couple of efforts from Negredo and Adrián, and Márquez wrapped things up with his fourteenth of the season from the penalty spot after David García was fouled in the area.

Sporting Gijón won 0-2 at bottom club Vecindario, a welcome relief for the Asturians after a string of poor results since the turn of the year. Granero, Markel and Mirosavljevic all went close for the locals, but they fell behind when Karanka headed Juanmi's cross past Keleman shortly before half time. And Pedro finished things off with a volley after the restart to take the Canary Islanders a step closer to relegation.

Elche beat Poli Ejido 2-0 to move to within two points of their opponents in the table. Both goals came in a five minute period midway through the first half, Gastón Casas starting things off with a shot on the turn, and Peragón heading the second following Katxorro's corner. Caballero made an important save from Pedro Vega's free kick after the restart, but Katxorro could have increased the lead when he hit the post late on. (10.03.07)

Second placed Real Murcia were beaten 0-1 by Albacete on Sunday lunchtime, despite the fact that the Manchegans had to field third choice keeper Javi Martínez due to injuries to Sanzol and Valbuena. The youngster made some important saves however, and Calle headed in Ferrón's cross midway through the second half to give the visitors their first victory in the Condomina stadium (new or old), and their fourth win in five games.

Valladolid continue to re-write the record books, their 0-2 victory at Lorca equalling Espanyol's 22 match unbeaten run from thirteen years ago. Alberto made a couple of important saves from Thiaw in the first half, but Manchev and Iñaki Bea got the goals early in the second half after passes by Víctor and Capdevila respectively to send their opponents further down into the drop zone. Mendilibar's side move even further clear of the pack as they were the only one of the top nine clubs to win this weekend.

Almería hold on to third spot despite throwing away a two goal lead to draw 2-2 against ten man Alavés, for whom Mario Luna returned as coach this week. An Ortíz strike after a defensive mistake by Mateo, and a Michel penalty after Corona was fouled put the locals ahead with an hour gone. Visiting keeper Porató was sent off for a second booking in the penalty incident, but Piterman's side saved a point with an Aloisi penalty after Carlos García handled in the area, and a goal by Gaspar after Westerveld gifted the ball to him.

Fourth placed Numancia were beaten 1-0 by Tenerife, Cristo getting the goal late on after fellow substitute Suso set him up to give the Canary Islanders a bit of breathing space. It was a fair result as the visiting keeper Juan Pablo had made first half saves from Juvenal and Frankowski, and Iriome had missed a sitter before the break, although Bolo gave the home fans a fright with a shot from the halfway line which hit the bar.

Cádiz also failed to close the gap on the top three after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Hércules. Miguel García converted a penalty midway through the first half after Turiel fouled Sesma, but the goalscorer was sent off for a second bookable offence before the break. Montenegro equalised after the break, and numbers were evened up when Carmelo was show a second yellow card near the end.

As always the relegation spots will be closely fought, and Málaga are still in the fray after a 0-0 draw against Ciudad Murcia left them just one place and two points above the drop zone. The Andalusians were on top for much of the match, José Juan saving from Gascón and Sandro, Couñago having a goal disallowed for a previous foul and Calleja rattling the woodwork, but they were unable to score and have not won now in five games.

Castellón are still two points below Málaga however after losing 1-2 against Salamanca. Tortolero headed the visitors in front from a fourth minute corner, but Natalio equalised with a header from Héctor Bosque's cross later in the first half. Braulio restored the lead with an individualist effort after the restart, but Tabares could have saved a point if Teté had not saved his penalty kick later on. Referee Hevia Obras showed five red cards in the last quarter of the match, two to locals Aurelio and Rodri one to Tortolero plus two more to visiting coach Javi López and his defender Mario while still on the bench

Ponferradina could not improve their position after drawing 1-1 with Xerez. David Prieto gave the Andalusians the lead in the fourth minute when he headed in a free kick, but the visitors were left with ten men on the hour mark when Abel Aguilar picked up a second booking, and Baha headed in Cifu's cross with twenty minutes to go to save a point. (11.03.07)