Leaders Numancia took a big step towards promotion with a late 0-1 victory at Real Sociedad on Saturday evening. Gonzalo Arconada's side defended well in the first half against continuous pressure from the locals, but they went in level at the break. Víctor and Díaz de Cerio tested Jacobo after the restart, but Del Pino almost scored on a breakaway at the other end. And with the game in the last minute Jordà won a high ball and Del Pino turned it past Riesgo to take his side twelve points ahead of their opponents in the table.

Real stay in third spot however after Sporting Gijón could only draw 2-2 at Racing Ferrol. Bilic gave the Asturians a fifth minute lead after picking up a pass from Kike Mateo, but Olmo equalised with an individual effort, and Pereira got a second on a quick counter-attack to turn the scoreline around before the break. Diego Castro equalised soon after the restart though, beating Queco Piña with a low shot after his first effort was blocked, and the locals ended with nine men after Roberto and Manuel were sent off for second bookable offences later on.

Las Palmas climbed out of the relegation spots pending Sunday's games after drawing 0-0 at Sevilla Atlético. The Andalusians dominated the first half, with Perotti going close a couple of times and Juanjo hitting the post. Shortly before the interval they were awarded a penalty when López Ramos fouled Ramírez, but young keeper Santamaria saved Perotti's spot kick. And the Canary Islanders held on throughout the second half for another valuable point in their battle to avoid the drop.

Poli Ejido are further down in the relegation zone though after losing 2-0 to Cádiz. Natalio gave the locals the lead against their Andalusian rivals with a shot from the edge of the area midway through the first half, and Bangoura amlost made it two when his shot was cleared off the line shortly before the break. Contreras had to save from Usero after the restart, but Natalio got his second of the night with five minutes to go after a mix up between Castells and Bello Serrans, and the ex Almería forward was just denied his hat-trick when he hit the post late on.

Elsewhere Granada 74 moved away from the bottom four after a 1-0 victory over Eibar. Luque scored the only goal in the tenth minute, catching Cuéllar out with a shot from the half-way line to end a run of six games without a win. Luque could have increased the lead when he hit the bar with a free kick after the break and Elvis also missed an easy chance, but Crespi had to clear off the line late on from Codina with the keeper beaten to ensure the three points. (15.03.08)

Second placed Málaga look like joining Numancia in the top flight after a 2-0 victory over fifth placed Elche on Sunday lunchtime. Eliseu hit the crossbar before heading the Andalusians in to the lead from Cheli's cross midway through the first half. But José Vega hit the post later in the first half, and local keeper Goitia had to save efforts from Raúl Martín, Noel-Williams and Oscar Díaz either side of half time. Peragón wrapped things up though on a quick breakaway in the second minute of injury time to end the challenge from his old side.

Later in the day Tenerife kept their slim hopes of promotion alive with a 2-1 win over Castellón. Nino started things off in the tenth minute after Carlos Sánchez could only push out Manolo's header, and Iriome rounded the keeper to score the second a couple of minutes before half time. Local keeper Juan Pablo had some work to do after the restart though, and after Aurelio headed in Rafita's cross with eight minutes to go, there were some nervous moments before the final whistle.

Celta look like they will have to wait another season though after they lost 0-1 to struggling Albacete, a result which kept them nine points off the top three and took their opponents to within two of safety. Assistant coach Antonio López was in charge after López Caro was fired midweek, but his side went behind when Barkero finished off Morán's set piece free kick on the quarter hour mark. The Galicians didn't react though, and they could have lost by a bigger margin in the end.

Albacete moved three points above Xerez, who climbed off the bottom of the table after a 1-1 draw at Gimnàstic. The Catalans dominated the early play, but they failed to convert several chances and paid the price when Yordi headed in Viqueira's cross ten minutes before the break. It was the veteran striker's fifteenth of the season, taking him clear at the top of the second division Pichichi table. César Ferrando brought on Moisés and Maldonado at the break though, and the former set up the latter to level the scores midway through the second half.

Nàstic are only a point ahead of Las Palmas, who return to the relegation spots after Alavés drew 1-1 at Hércules. Both goals came midway through the first half, Pablo Casar opening the scoring following a corner and Tote taking advantage of a bad clearance by Bernardo to head the equaliser back into the empty net just three minutes later. Bernardo made up for his mistake though with a series of saves later on, giving his side their first point away from home in six games. A bad result for local coach Andoni Goikoetxea, who needs to turn things around quickly if he is to save his job.

A 1-1 draw as well between Salamanca and Córdoba, who are the two sides who have shared the points most times this season. Cristian Alvarez got the first for the visitors with an angled shot after Arthuro set him up twenty minutes in to the second half, and Quique Martín made it all square a quarter of an hour later with a shot from the edge of the area. Both sides ended the weekend in mid-table. (16.03.08)