Second division, day 38

Recreativo lost 2-1 to Almería on Sunday lunchtime, but even so the Huelva based side are still favourites to go up. The hosts went ahead early on when Jonathan touched in Lozano's free kick, and soon after the restart Kalu Uche added a second before his brother Ikechukwu Uche pulled one back for the visitors. Later in the evening Nàstic drew level with Recre on points after beating Castellón 0-2, and the two leaders are now seven points clear of the fourth placed side with four games remaining. Veteran striker Antonio Pinilla got both goals for the Catalans in the first twenty minutes of the match.

There is a battle royal for the third promotion spot though, with six teams separated by six points coming in to the final straight. Levante got a nose ahead of the rest after beating Sporting Gijón 0-2, strikes from Alexis and Ettien taking them two points above Murcia based sides Ciudad, who won yesterday, and Lorca, who recovered from a goal down to draw 1-1 at Valladolid.

Xerez are not out of the running though after they beat Real Murcia 2-0, Geijo getting an early goal in the fourth minute and Lekic wrapping things up late on. Elsewhere Castilla thrashed already relegated Málaga B 4-1, Soldado getting a hat-trick to consolidate his place at the top of the Pichichi chart ahead of Uche and Luque. (21.05.06)

Ciudad Murcia moved up into the top three pending Sunday's games after beating struggling Racing Ferrol 2-1. Luque and Piti got the goals for the locals before the break, with Granón getting one back from the penalty spot in the second half. Elsewhere a last minute goal from Corredoira was enough to give Numancia a 1-0 win over Albacete, keeping them just four points behind Ciudad.

Albacete are fairly safe however, as are Hércules and Elche, who edged away from the drop zone after drawing 0-0. Eibar though are relegated for the first time in 18 seasons after drawing 1-1 with Lleida, who equalised in the last minute. The point was not much use for the Catalans either after Tenerife beat Poli Ejido 2-1 later in the evening to move five points clear of their rivals. (20.05.06)