Second division, day 19

Valladolid extended their lead at the top of the second division after beating Alavés 1-0 on Sunday lunchtime, Mario Suárez getting the goal in the second minute of the game. Real Murcia were the only side to keep up with them, Abel and Adrian scoring as they won 0-2 at Castilla. Sporting Gijón drop out of the top three though after losing 3-1 at Ciudad Murcia.

Salamanca also lost ground after being held to a 2-2 draw by Las Palmas, and Poli Ejido and Numancia cancelled each other out in a match without goals. Down at the other end of the table, Ponferradina moved to within a point of climbing out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 victory over Castellón, and they are now two points above Elche, who could only draw 1-1 with Cádiz. (07.01.07)

Second placed Almería lost 2-1 at Málaga on Saturday evening, young debutant Popo getting the winner late on after a Mario Bermejo penalty had cancelled out Perico's early strike. Sixth placed Xerez also lost 0-1 to Albacete, their fifth defeat in a row. Azkorra got the only goal for the visitors on the quarter hour mark. Hércules are within a point of the Andalusians after a 0-1 win at Lorca, De los Santos's sixth minute goal sinking the Murcia based side further into the relegation zone. Bottom club Vecindario are now just four points behind them after coming from behind to beat local rivals Tenerife 2-1, strikes from Carlitos and Atxabal just two minutes after Suso had put the visitors ahead giving them the three points. (06.01.07)