Hércules beat Zaragoza 2-1 on Saturday evening to move back to the top of the table. Arizmendi and Oliveira went close for the visitors before the break, but the Alicante based side scored twice in the first seven minutes of the second half, Tote picking up a failed clearance from Chus Herrero to beat López Vallejo, and Abraham Paz making it two after a couple of previous shots were blocked. Gabi got one back soon afterwards with a spectacular volley however, and Marcelino's side came close to saving a point, Zapater hitting the post and Oliveira seeing his penalty kick saved by Calatayud after the Brazilian striker was fouled by Tuni.

Tenerife moved up to the promotion spots pending Sunday's games after a 3-1 win over Alicante. Richi put the Canary Islanders ahead midway through the first half, and Nino made it two before half time with a shot on the turn. Ismael scored a penalty for the visitors ten minutes in to the second half, but Alfaro made it three just a couple of minutes later, and the locals held on despite having Marc Bertrán sent off for a second bookable offence.

Levante are out of the top three though after losing 2-0 to a Xerez side who are now level with their opponents and Tenerife in the table. Ballesteros headed Viqueira's free kick through his own net in the tenth minute to open the scoring, but Larrea and Pedro Vega both hit the bar for the visitors either side of half time, and the Andalusians were left with ten men when Bermejo picked up a second booking. However with Luis García's side pushing for an equaliser, Momo wrapped things up in a rapid counter-attack right at the end.

Rayo Vallecano also join the group on ten points after a 1-1 draw at Girona. A Cañas free kick after Aganzo handled outside of the area put the Catalans ahead with half an hour gone. Aganzo made up for his mistake, running in to beat Rafa Ponzo for the equaliser with twenty minutes to go. Even so keeper Cobeño had some work to do to after that to keep up his side's unbeaten record this season.

Real Sociedad drop down to seventh after a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sevilla Atlético, who themselves climb out of the relegation zone. Young Finnish striker Pukki got the only goal for the locals midway through the first half on his debut for the B team, beating Bravo with a shot into the top corner of the net. Díaz de Cerio and Marcos came close after the break, but they couldn't prevent the San Sebastian based side's first loss of the season.

Finally Eibar and Albacete ended the day in mid-table after sharing the points in a 1-1 draw. The visitors were left with ten men after Tarantino was sent off shortly before half time, and Lombraña appeared to have won it for the Basque team with a strike in the tenth minute of the second half after Alvaro Martínez and Yagüe combined to set him up. Tokero could have extended the lead when he hit the bar with the game already in injury time , but seconds later Belencoso headed in a Marcos Navas cross to save a point for the Manchegans. (04.10.08)

Castellón and Córdoba cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw on Sunday lunchtime. A victory could have taken either side up to the promotion spots, but there was little action from either camp before Mantecón set up Ulloa to open the scoring ten minutes before the break. Asen made it all square though following an assist from Dealbert soon after the restart, and that's the way it stayed.

Hércules stay in top spot after last week's leaders Salamanca lost 2-0 at Gimnàstic. Redondo opened the scoring for the locals soon after the restart after Víctor set him up, and substitute N'Gal got the second near the end with a spectacular overhead kick to take the Catalans safely up to mid-table. It was Nàstic's first home win of the season.

Alavés ended the weekend just a point off third place, level with Castellón and Real Sociedad, after they beat Las Palmas 2-1. Nauzet had given the Canary Islanders the lead with a header from a López Ramos cross, but after the break a shot from Kalderón into the top corner of the net and a header by Astudillo from an Emilo Sánchez cross turned the scoreline around.

A dramatic match between the bottom two clubs of the table, where Murcia beat Elche 1-0 for their first win of the season. Despotovic got the only goal in the seventh minute after Capdevila's header came back off the bar. Wakaso was sent off for the visitors soon afterwards, but numbers were evened up late on when Kabous picked up a second booking. Despite the win the home fans called for the head of coach Javier Clemente at the end. His opposite number David Vidal is also in trouble after his team have only picked up one point in six games, and his future will depend largely on how the side fare in the midweek cup match.

Celta are still in the bottom four as well after their game at Huesca ended without goals. The home side have now drawn five of their six matches, although they could have taken the three points had Notario not produced a great performance, including a second half penalty save from Rubén Castro after Peña had fouled the striker in the area. (05.10.08)