A three way tie at the top of the second division after last week's leaders Real Sociedad drew 3-3 at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday lunchtime. The locals went ahead three times through Susaeta and Rafa García in the first half and Rubén Castro in the second, but each time Real equalised. Xabi Prieto, Bueno and Zurutuza were the scorers to keep the visitors five points clear of their opponents. The top three are now four points clear of fourth placed Elche, who kept up their recent unbeaten run with a 2-2 draw at Villarreal B later in the evening. Molina and Santos put them in front twice, but strikes from Marco Rubén and Bordás pegged them back.
Betis are back in contention after they beat Las Palmas 1-0, substitute Caffa getting the only goal a quarter of an hour from the end. Marcos Márquez hit the post before that though, and the local fans staged a protest against owner Manuel Ruíz de Lopera before the game. The Andalusians are on 20 points, two behind Elche and level with Numancia, who won 2-3 at Albacete. Antonio López gave the hosts the lead with half an hour gone, but three goals in eight minutes from Felipe, Barkero and Iñigo midway through the second half turned the scoreline around. Antonio Hidalgo got another one back, but to no avail.
Córdoba stay a point ahead of Betis and Numancia despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Girona. Tortolero headed the Catalans in to the lead, but goals either side of half time from Assen and Javi Flores turned things around. Kiko Ratón headed the equaliser after that though to save a point for his side. Down at the bottom of the rankings, Castellón beat Murcia 2-1 to climb off the foot of the table above their fellow strugglers. A goal in each half from Ulloa and Dani Pendín were enough for victory despite Isaac's strike later on. (29.11.09)
Cartagena are back on top pending Real Sociedad's game on Sunday after beating Huesca 1-0. Mikel Rico had a goal incorrectly ruled out for the visitors with less than a minute gone, but the locals won it thanks to an own goal from Rubiato on the stroke of half time, the forward heading a De Lucas free kick past his own keeper trying to clear. Hércules stay level on points with the new leaders though after they beat fourth placed Levante 2-1. Jorge Pina gave the visitors the lead midway through the first half, but Héctor Rodas put through his own net a few minutes later to level the scores. The Valencia based side were left with ten men when Cendrós picked up a second booking in the second half, and Delibasic got the winner after good work by Peña with a quarter of an hour to go.
Salamanca are now a point behind Levante after a 0-2 win at Recreativo, a result which left local coach Javi López possibly facing the sack. Salva Sevilla got the first from the penalty spot after Iago Bouzón brought down Linares on the half hour mark. And after Bouzón was sent off for a second bookable offence after the restart, Perico wrapped things up with an impressive shot. Gimnàstic lost a bit of ground on the chasing group after a 1-0 defeat at Real Unión, Goikoetxea scoring the only goal late in the second half to take the Basque side out of the bottom four. And Cádiz moved clear of the danger zone after a comfortable 3-1 win over struggling Celta. Cristian and Enrique put the Andalusians two up with only twenty minutes gone, and although Joselu got one back just before the break, Diego Tristán restored the two goal gap just a minute in to the second half. (28.11.09)