Second division, day 9

Real Murcia took over top spot in the table after beating Albacete 2-0 on Sunday lunchtime. Iván Alonso got them off to the best possible start with a goal in the first minute, and Richi added the second after the break. Last week's leaders Xerez drop to second on goal average after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Sporting Gijón, Iván Rosado saving a point after Pablo Alvarez gave the Asturians the lead.

The top two opened up a three point gap on the rest, but behind them eight sides are separated by just three points. Recreativo are in third spot after beating struggling Racing Ferrol 0-3 with goals from Ramón, Casas and Uche, level on points with Valladolid who won 3-1 at home to Numancia. Tenerife drop out of the promotion spots to sixth after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Hércules, who remain a point below them in the table.

Levante move back up to seventh after a 3-0 win over Castilla, a result which saves the head of their coach Oltra for now. Lorca are a point behind them after drawing 1-1 against Almería, and Ciudad Murcia move up level with their neighbours after beating Lleida 1-2. The defeat leaves the Catalans further down in the drop zone, and they were overtaken by Eibar, who moved out of the relegation spots after a 2-0 win over bottom club Castellón. (23.10.05)

Elche moved up into the top three pending Sunday's games with a 1-0 win over Nàstic. The only goal of the game came late in the first half when Alberto beat Alvaro with a shot from the left of the area. There was only one other match in the second division on Saturday, Málaga B coming back from a goal down to beat Poli Ejido 1-2 and move out of the relegation zone. (22.10.05)