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Second Division B - play-offs, day 3

Real Madrid Castilla and Mirandés were promoted last weekend after winning through their group champions play-offs, but they still have to play each other for the honorary title of Second division B champions. That now looks a formal conclusion though after the Real Madrid B team won the first leg 3-0. The visitors wasted an early chance to go ahead when Mejías saved a Nacho Garro penalty after Pablo Gil pulled down Haritz in the area, and they lost Antonio Martínez to a bad injury a few minutes later. Shortly before the break Mirandés keeper Adrián Murcia was sent off for giving away another penalty on Morata, and top scorer Joselu stepped up to convert the resulting spot kick. And after the restart Madrid added two more, Jesé rounding substitute keeper Rubén to score his side's second, and Joselu getting on the end of Morata's cross for the third. (01.06.12)


One game of the second stage of the play-offs on Saturday, with Lucena getting the edge over Ponferradina thanks to a 2-1 victory. The visitors went ahead against the run of play on the half hour mark when Yuri latched on to a loose ball to beat Vargas. But Curro Vacas headed the equaliser for the Andalusians shortly before half time, and Vacas got his second of the day from Jesús Lanza's dead ball kick with a quarter of an hour to go. Ponferradina have a lot to do in the second leg if they are return to the second division at the first attempt, but Tenerife are a step closer after beating Linense 0-1 on Sunday. The team from across the road to Gibraltar had the better of the first half, but they went behind shortly before the break when keeper Pagola put through his own net trying to stop Kike López. A red card for Bello in the second half swung the game more in favour of the Canary Islanders, although Sergio Aragoneses had to be at his best to keep out David Hernández and Ximo Forner late on.

The two teams who lost out on the group champions play-offs had more problems than expected, with Atlético Baleares in particular struggling to stay in running after a 3-1 defeat at Lugo. Goals by Quero and Belencoso put the Galicians two up in the first twenty minutes, and Belforti added a third following a corner early in the second half. Ex Betis striker Dani headed one back though with four minutes to go to give the Balearic Islanders an outside chance. Cádiz had a difficult visit to an Albacete side who were also looking for a quick return, although a 0-0 draw gave the Andalusians a slight advantage for the return leg. Both sides had chances, with Calle for the visitors and Scotland's Ikechi Anya for the locals having the best of them, but in the end both coaches settled for a draw. (03.06.12)