Second division - day 18

Hércules kicked off their match on Sunday lunchtime at Celta knowing that a win would take them to the top of the table, but in the end they remain outside of the promotion spots after losing 2-1. David Rodríguez and Oscar Díaz got the goals for the Galicians before Rubén Navarro pulled one back late on. Tenerife moved above the Alicante side to fourth, level on points with Zaragoza and Xerez, after a 2-1 victory over bottom side Sevilla Atlético later in the evening. Nino and Alfaro put the Canary Islanders two up before Mohammed scored a consolation goal for the visitors.

Huesca are back in the promotion race after a 2-0 win over Alavés, José Vegar getting the first from the penalty spot and Roberto netting the second. The Aragón based side are now level with Real Sociedad, who could only draw 2-2 at struggling Córdoba. Marcos and Aguirretxe twice put the Basques ahead, but both times they were pegged back by strikes from Arteaga and Pierini. Rayo Vallecano and Levante both remain a point behind Real after they cancelled each other out in a 0-0 draw, but with nine teams only separated by two points the division is wide open. (04.01.09)

Draws all round for the top sides on the opening day of the new year. Leaders Salamanca went behind twice at home to Las Palmas, but they came back to make it 2-2 in the end. All the goals came in the first half, with Darino and Marcos Márquez scoring for the Canary Islanders, and Jorge Alonso and Dañobeita replying for the locals. Zaragoza stay in second spot after drawing 1-1 at Albacete, Braulio's first half strike seemingly enough to give Marcelino's side the three points before Diego Costa equalised with a late penalty. And third placed Xerez were also held to a 1-1 draw at Eibar, Momo saving a point for the Andalusians after Yagüe had given the home side the lead.

Gimnàstic took advantage to close the gap to three points after a 3-0 victory over regional rivals Girona. A Víctor strike and a Jandro penalty put the locals two up at the break, and Gibanel finished things off later on. Nàstic move above Castellón, who could only draw 2-2 with neighbours Elche. The visitors raced in to a two goal lead with strikes from Usero in the first six minutes, but N'sue and Uranga levelled the scores with only half an hour on the clock. Elsewhere Murcia got off to a good start under new coach José Campos, a 0-2 win against fellow strugglers Alicante taking them to within one point of escaping the drop zone. Iván Alonso got both goals before the break. (03.01.09)