Second division - day 9

Atlético Madrid struggled to beat lowly Badajoz, but in the end their 1-0 victory was enough to take them back up to first place in the table. They were unable to score themselves though, with the only goal coming from the boot of the visitors' Cidoncha in the second half. Atlético move ahead of Xerez on goal average, a point ahead of Oviedo, who recorded their third 0-0 result in a row. The Asturians should have done better though against a Salamanca side who were reduced to ten men halfway through the first half when keeper Aizpurua was sent off.

Racing Ferrol continue their good start to the season with a 2-4 away victory against faltering Burgos on Sunday lunchtime, and for a few hours at least they were second in the division (with a game in hand to boot). Emery and Ismael gave them the lead, although they were reduced to ten men before half time when Burlé was sent off for bringing down Isailovic in the penalty area. Iñaki converted the spot kick for Burgos's first goal in four games, but Fran Nogeira and Ismael again (another penalty) wrapped things up for the visitors. Merino scored a second for Burgos near the end, but they drop down to fifth, a point behind their opponents.

Recreativo are starting to climb back up the table after a poor start, and they move up to sixth with a 1-2 victory over newly promoted Gimnastic. Poor defending by the Catalans let in the Andalucian side twice, with Soriano and then top scorer Raúl Molina getting their names on the scoresheet by half time. Jubera pulled one back after the break, but it was not enough and Nástic stay down in the relegation zone level with Badajoz and a point above bottom club Poli Ejido, who drew 2-2 with Sporting Gijon. The Asturians took the lead through Aira, and although an Oscar Arpón penalty (after Torrado was fouled) and a second goal by Juan Jesús put the Andalucian side ahead, Lozano made it all square with an hour on the clock.

Racing Santander's victory the day before left Levante down in the fourth relegation spot at the end of the day. They lost 1-0 to fellow strugglers Extremadura thanks to a single Renaldo goal in the first half. Manager Granero may not have much time left in charge of the team. A 1-0 victory too for Elche, who move ahead of their opponents Albacete up to eighth place with a first half penalty by Nino after Serrano was brought down in the area. The win at least restores their pride after Albacete knocked them out of the cup four days ago.

Numancia moved up level with Albacete after beating Murcia 1-2 in the Condomina stadium. All three goals came in a four minute period in the first half, with Alberto heading the visitors in front, Méndez equalising and Pacheta restoring the lead almost immediately. Murcia are in a group of six teams on eleven points, which includes draw specialists Eibar. They recorded another 0-0 result at Jaén and have a 5-6 goals for and against record in nine games, the lowest scoring record in the league. Jaén drop to eighteenth, and need some good results soon if they are to avoid slipping in to the relgation zone. (14.10.01)

Xerez moved to the top of the second division pending Sunday's matches after defeating local rivals Córdoba 1-0. The only goal of the game came just after the break when Julio Pineda headed home a long cross from Cañizares. Xerez have now won four matches out of five at their new home. Racing Santander started their recovery under caretaker manager Quique Setién with a 3-1 victory over Leganés which takes them out of the relegation zone. The visitors had come to defend, but after Mena opened the scoring in the first half they were forced to open up. Javi Pineda made it two though just after the interval, and although Miguel Angel put Leganés back in the match, Mateo scored Racing's third near the end. (13.10.01)