The second division B play-offs ended this weekend, with Rayo Vallecano, Alicante, Huesca and Girona promoted to the second division.

Rayo Vallecano are back after four years away from the limelight, a 1-1 draw with Zamora enough to take them up after their single goal victory away from home a week ago. Ex Getafe striker Pachón was the man to take them back up in front of a crowd of over 15,000, his goal with just under an hour on the clock ensuring victory despite a late strike from Iván García. Infamous club president Doña Teresa is still there though, and expect her and her coach Pepe Mel to strengthen what is already a good squad for the new season.

The group B final saw Alicante hold on to beat Ponferradina 2-1 on aggregate, despite losing 1-0 on the night. As luck would have it this was a repeat of the final two seasons ago, but this time the East coast side won through after four seasons in the play-offs. A goal just three minutes after the restart from veteran striker De Paula gave the León base team hope, but keeper Unanua did the rest to ensure his team returned to the second division after an absence of fifty years. Fans are already looking forward to the city derby with Hércules.

SD Huesca are also promoted after drawing 1-1 in the inferno at Écija. Temperatures were over 40º down in Andalusia, but the two goals from the first leg were enough to take them through. David Hernández put the hosts in front twenty minutes in to the second half, but the visitors held on, and it was all over when Roberto equalised in injury time. The Aragón based side have never played in the second division in their current legal form, although their predecessors UD Huesca did participate in the early 1950s, curiously when neighbours Zaragoza were down at that level, as they will be next season.

Girona won through in the group D final after beating Ceuta 1-0, they too returning to the "silver division" 50 years after their last appearance. The Catalans were only promoted from the regional third division last season, but they finished top of group III and go up thanks to a strike from defender Migue ten minutes in to the second half. Keeper Rafa Ponzo did the rest, maintaining his record of clean sheets throughout the four games of the play-offs. (15.06.08)