The second division B play-offs began this weekend, with four sides to be promoted from the sixteen who finished in the top four of their regional groups. The group D match between Ceuta and Pontevedra was brought forward to Saturday, with the Galicians having the edge after a 1-1 draw. Tato gave the North Africans the lead with an angled shot early on, but Javi Rodríguez equalised on the stroke of half time after keeper Lledó failed to clear. (24.05.08)

Results on Sunday largely favoured the higher ranked teams, who were all playing away from home in the first leg. Rayo Vallecano took a step towards returning to the second division at the fourth attempt after a 1-1 draw at Benidorm, some 2,500 travelling supporters seeing their side equalise late on through Manolo after Expósito had given the resort town team a first half lead. And the other group A match between Zamora and Linares also finished 1-1, Chico opening the scoring for the visitors with a penalty midway through the first half before Gurrutxaga levelled the scores for the locals four minutes after the restart.

Ponferradina got off to a good start in group B, overturning an early goal to 1-2 win at the new Mérida. De Paula soon cancelled out Cuevas's first minute strike, and Teo got the winner on the stroke of half time to put the León based club in line for an immediate return to 2A. In the other group game, Alicante came away from Canary Islanders Fuerteventura with a 0-0 draw, thanks in part to veteran keeper Unanúa.

The only home side to win were Deportivo B, who beat the southern region champions Écija 1-0 in the Riazor stadium. The Galicians were only promoted from the regional third division last season, but a strike from Lassa shortly before the break was enough to give them a win. Gavà were also newly promoted this season, and they put up a good fight before drawing 2-2 with the more experienced Huesca in their group C tie. Joel gave the Catalans the lead twice in the first half, but Edu Roldán and then Roberto equalised for the visitors.

There was another 0-0 draw between Barakaldo and Girona, the winners to play Ceuta or Pontevedra in the group D final. The Catalan side won their regional division after coming up last year, and they now have a slight advantage for next weekend's return leg.

Draws all round in the relegation play-offs as well, with the match between Baza and Villa Santa Brigida ending without goals, and Osasuna B and Villajoyosa drawing 1-1, Echaide saving the day for the "Promesas" in the Reyno de Navarra stadium after Pepín had given the visitors the lead. (25.05.08)