Second division, day 16

Next to bottom side Lleida beat Málaga B 0-1 on Monday evening thanks to a late strike by Croatia's Bilic. The result leaves Castellón four points adrift at the bottom of the table, and takes the Catalan's to the verge of climbing out of the relegation zone. Only one point separates six teams, with the South coast team now well and truly involved in the struggle to avoid the drop. (12.12.05)

Last week's leaders Xerez were surprisingly beaten 1-2 by Elche on Sunday lunchtime, and as a result failed to win back top spot from Recreativo. Camuñas gave the Andalusians the lead, but Martí equalised and after Granero missed a penalty, Rubén got a late winner for the visitors. The top two open up a four point gap over the rest though as third placed Valladolid were held to a 0-0 draw by struggling Eibar. Elche are a point behind them in fifth spot, just below Levante who moved back up the table after a 0-1 win at Tenerife, Alexis getting the goal after the break. Sporting Gijón are in sixth spot though after they won 1-0 against Lorca, the Asturians now clocking up 14 points in their last six games.

After last weekend's high scoring round of games, this weekend was one of the lowest, with only four goals being scored in the seven games which kicked off on Sunday afternoon. As well as the match at Valladolid, there were 0-0 draws in the games between Castellón and Albacete, and between Numancia and Real Murcia, where new coach Andoni Goikoetxea was in charge of the Soria based side for the first time. Almería lost pace on the top teams after they were beaten 0-1 by Nàstic, whereas their neighbours Poli Ejido moved out of the relegation zone after they won 0-1 at Ciudad Murcia. The match between Málaga B and Lleida takes place tomorrow night. (11.12.05)

Recreativo moved to the top of the table pending Sunday's games with a 1-2 win at Castilla. The Andalusians took the lead through Aitor early on, and Uche added a second after the interval. Javi García pulled one back, but the locals were left with ten men when Barral was sent off soon afterwards. Hércules lost ground on the leaders though after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Racing Ferrol. Kike Mateo put the Alcante based side ahead on the half hour mark, but Juan Carlos equalised later in the second half. (10.12.05)