Rayo Vallecano moved back up in to the top three after a narrow 1-0 victory over bottom club Sevilla Atlético on Saturday evening, their fifth win in a row. Jofre got the only goal after picking up Michel's pass and firing in a shot which keeper Ruyales turned in to his own net with a quarter of an hour on the clock. Aganzo had a goal ruled out for offside after the break, but otherwise the home side suffered, and the visitors could have levelled the scores with a bit more luck.

Zaragoza drop out of the promotion spots after they were beaten 2-0 by Elche. Marcelino's side had the better of the first half, but they went behind when Santos set up Saúl for him to beat López Vallejo shortly before half time. And with twenty minutes to go Santos ran on to a Dani Benítez through ball to beat the keeper from a wide angle and wrap things up.

Tenerife stay in second spot though after drawing 0-0 at Huesca. The star of the match was local keeper Eduardo, who saved from Alfaro and Richi before the break, and Angel after. Nino also hit the post in the second half, but the locals held on to keep up their good home record.

Castellón stay outside of the promotion spots after a 2-0 defeat at Albacete. Diego Costa put the hosts ahead on the quarter hour mark from the penalty spot after Dealbert brought him down on the edge of the area. And they could have increased the lead later in the first half when Toché hit the post and Marcos Navas brought a good save out of Carlos Sánchez. Merino did get a second though on a quick counter-attack five minutes after the restart, and that was how it stayed.

Celta are almost out of the running for promotion after losing 1-2 to Eibar, their fifth game in a row without a win. Carlier won the ball off Trashorras and went on to open the scoring just two minutes in to the second half. Ghilas had a chance to equalise soon afterwards when his side were awarded a penalty, but Zigor guessed correctly and saved his spot kick. Sutil volleyed home a second goal a few minutes later, and David Rodríguez's late consolation didn't stop the home fans for calling for the resignation of coach Pepe Murcia.

And talking of Murcia, José Miguel Campos's side move above the Galicians in the table after a 0-1 victory at Las Palmas. The Canary Islanders had the better chances, with Pablo Sánchez in particular hitting the post after the break. But despite having Capdevila sent off for a second bookable offence, Marañón beat Santamaría with a quarter of an hour to go to take his side up to mid-table and leave the locals just a point above the relegation zone. (21.02.09)

Xerez extended their lead at the top of the table to five points after beating local rivals Córdoba 1-2 on Sunday lunchtime. The game swung in the visitors' favour on the half hour mark when referee Iglesias Villanueva sent off Gaspar for a foul on Calle, who converted the resulting penalty. The home side equalised with a second penalty half an hour later, Cristian Alvarez slotting home the kick. But another red card for José Vega left the locals with nine men, and Aythami fired home the winner near the end to make it five victories in a row for the Andalusians. (22.02.09)

Hércules are just a point outside the promotion spots after a 1-2 victory at Real Sociedad later in the evening. Rubén Navarro scored twice for the visitors, the first with an angled shot in only the first minute of the match, and the second midway through the second half. Xabi Prieto got one back later on after Calatayud saved an earlier effort, but it was not enough to prevent a costly defeat which leaves the Basque side seven points adrift of the top three.

Salamanca are also five points behind the promotion spots after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Girona. Felipe put the visitors ahead midway through the first half, and although Rodri headed in Catalá's free kick to equalise shortly before half time, Chechu restored the lead ten minutes from the end. Isaac made it all square with four minutes to go though following a free kick, and the Catalans ended with ten men after Serra picked up a second booking late on.

Levante lost ground as well after a 2-3 defeat at the hands of Alavés. An early Javi Guerra strike was cancelled out by a Parri penalty with just over a quarter of an hour gone. Two mistakes by local keeper Mora let in Albacar and Juanjo either side of half time though, and Iborra's late goal was not enough to prevent the Vitoria based side from a win which takes them just a point away from climbing back out of the relegation spots.

Alicante appear to be on their way back down to the second division B though after losing 1-3 to Gimnàstic. The game was lost early on when Azkoitia was sent off for giving away a penalty which Jandro converted. José Marí and David Bauzá added two more soon after the restart, and Catalá's late strike was scant consolation for the home side. (22.02.09)