Second division - day 20

Málaga stay top of the table after their nearest rivals Numancia could only draw 1-1 with Eibar. Palacios headed the Soria based side into the lead midway through the first half, but Zurutuza equalised a few minutes later. Sporting Gijón hold on to third spot despite a 0-2 defeat the hands of Castellón. A goal in each half from Arana and López Garay gave new coach Pepe Murcia his first win since taking over at the end of last year. Elche move level on points with Sporting after a 0-1 victory at neighbours Hércules earlier in the day, an early strike from England's Noel -Williams enough to give David Vidal's side the three points. Sevilla Atlético drop down to sixth though after a last minute 1-2 defeat against Cádiz in their lunchtime kick-off, Gastón Casas getting the winner in injury time after Juan Pablo had cancelled out a Parri penalty.

Down at the bottom of the table, Albacete move out of the bottom four after a 2-0 win over Poli Ejido. Morán and Barkero got the goals either side of the break to take the Manchegans above their opponents in the table. Córdoba moved six points clear of the drop zone after a 0-1 win at struggling Racing Ferrol, Asen scoring on the half mark to give his side their first win in nine games. And Gimnàstic stay clear of the relegation spots after drawing 1-1 with Tenerife. Jandro gave César Ferrando's new side the lead in the second minute, but Ayoze equalised from the penalty spot soon afterwards, and the Catalans had two men sent off after the break. (13.01.08)

Four matches on Saturday, with Málaga moving two points clear at the top of the table after drawing 1-1 with Granada 74. Salva opened the scoring for the locals with just over a quarter of an hour gone, but Javi Guerra equalised for their regional rivals just five minutes later. Real Sociedad are up to fourth pending Sunday's games after a last second 1-0 win against neighbours Alavés. The locals had two goals disallowed, and the game appeared to be heading for a draw when Elustondo beat Bernardo after Estrada headed on a long throw-in.

Celta drop two points behind Chris Coleman's side after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Salamanca. The star of the match was no doubt visiting keeper Biel Ribas, who only joined the club from Lorca a couple of days ago after both first choice goalkeepers were injured. Elsewhere the two bottom clubs met, with Xerez staying in last spot after losing 0-3 to Las Palmas. Marcos Márquez got the first following a first half corner, and Adrián and Márquez got two more in a minute later on. The win takes the Canary Islanders out of the drop zone pending Sunday's matches. (12.01.08)