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Match round-up - Second Division A, Day 18

Deportivo are finally up to the direct promotion spots after a 0-1 victory at Las Palmas on Sunday lunchtime. The Galicians have been slow to find their form this season after their surprise relegation last summer, but ten points from their last three matches have seen them climb up to within a point of leaders Elche. It was not an easy win though, honours shared in a first half in which Ruyman fired the best chance just wide of the post and Lassad brought a good save out of Barbosa in reply just before the break. Two minutes in to the second half though Depor were given a much protested penalty after Valerón went down in the area, and Guardado stepped up to drill home the spot kick. Quiroga went close to equalising a couple of times after that, but José Luis Oltra's side held on for three points which sees them end the year in second place.

Almería are only two points behind Deportivo though after they beat Sabadell 3-0 later in the evening. The East coast side had not won in five games, but they went ahead with just over half an hour gone when Goitom picked up an assist from youngster Abel Molinero to fire a low shot past De Navas. And with the first half coming to an end the Swedish striker scored his second of the night, a spectacular overhead kick from left of the area which looped over the visiting keeper. After that Ulloa wrapped things up in the last minute after good work by Omar, leaving the Catalans in the bottom half of the table for the first time this season following a worrying run of ten matches without a victory. (18.12.11)

Elche stay in top spot after last week's leaders Hércules lost 2-1 at Numancia on Saturday evening. The Alicante based side had only won one of their last six games, and although they took the lead in the ninth minute when Carlos Calvo picked up a Juanra cross to beat Eduardo, Juanjo set up Lago Junior for the equaliser just a few minutes later. Before all that the referee had changed his mind after awarding a penalty to the locals for a possible foul on Lago Junior, and the Soria based side dominated for much of the game, Juanjo and Lago Junior both wasting chances before and after the break. A draw seemed to be on the cards though until Nagore put Díaz de Cerío through to score a last minute winner, giving his team a deserved three points which takes them safely up to mid-table.

Earlier in the afternoon Valladolid beat Barcelona B 1-0 to move to within a point of Hércules in the table. Visiting coach Eusebio was returning to his old hunting ground, and he saw his young team dominate the opening minutes, Tello in particular going close a couple of times. However they were unable to break down a well-ordered defence, and Masip had to save from Jofre, Sisi and Javi Guerra as the locals fought back. A few minutes after the restart Oscar missed a sitter, but he made up for it a minute later, scoring what was to prove the only goal after Rueda headed on a corner. Manucho could have increased the lead after that, but Djukic's side had done enough to ensure another victory which takes their unbeaten run to seven games.

Celta moved up to fourth pending Sunday's matches after a 2-0 win over Guadalajara. Both goals came in the first half, Orellana opening the scoring with just over a quarter of an hour gone after picking up a return pass from David Rodríguez. And Rodríguez scored the second himself ten minutes before the break, this time Orellana the provider. Javi Soria went close twice for the visitors after the interval, but his side created little danger in the end, and Dani Abalo and Mario Bermejo could both have wrapped things up later on. The Galicians have opened up a four point gap over their opponents in the table.

Cordoba drop a place to sixth though after they were held to a 0-0 draw by neighbours Recreativo. Chances were few and far between in the first half, with Borja and Patiño trying their luck for the hosts from long range, and Manolo Martínez and Aitor testing Alberto García at the other end. The local keeper was to prove the hero after the break though with saves from Sergi Enrich and Javi Alamo amongst others, and Aitor also hit the bar with another long shot. Manu did have to keep out López Silva as well, but in the end both sides settled for the point.

Murcia's revival continues after their bad start to the season, and a 3-2 victory over Alcoyano took them up to eighth. They had to come back from two down to do so though, Alvaro scoring twice for the visitors after the break despite playing with ten men after Guille Roldán was sent off for a second bookable offence with only half an hour gone. Borja pulled one back though with twelve minutes to go, and Cristian García levelled the scores just five minutes later. And with the game already in injury time Sutil ran through to beat Maestro for a third time, sending the local fans home with a smile on their faces.

Further down the table Xerez stay two points clear of the drop zone after a 3-0 win over bottom club Cartagena. Capi picked up a pass from Campano to give the Andalusians an early lead, and Mendoza hit the post before Iñigo Vélez made it two following a corner on the half hour mark. The visitors made all three changes at the break, but although they did improve, Vélez took advantage of a mistake by Chus Herrera to score the third. Cartagena have now gone five games without a single goal, and shortly afterwards the owners decided to part company with Javi López, who only took over as coach three months' ago.

Huesca are within a point of getting clear of the relegation spots after a 1-0 win over Villarreal B, their sixth game in a row without defeat. The Aragón based side had the better of the first half, with Jokin and Camacho going close, and with an hour on the clock they were awarded a penalty when Kiko was sent off for a foul on Gilvan. Camacho converted the spot kick, his seventeenth without miss in a row (equalling Cristiano Ronaldo!), and they held on after that for three points which takes them level in the table with their opponents, who will now have to find a new coach after Francisco Molina was promoted to the first team to take over from Juan Carlos Garrido.

Girona stay two points behind Huesca in the table after beating neighbours Gimnàstic 3-2 in their local derby. The two teams started the day level on points, but the locals went ahead in only the second minute when Corominas got on the end of Benja's cross to head past Rubén Pérez. Luna equalised close to half time after Morán put him through, but Benja restored the lead soon after the restart, turning in a Dani Nieto centre. Once again Nàstic made it all square, Longás lobbing Santamaría after the keeper punched out a long cross, but Jandro won it for Raúl Agné's side with a well struck free kick midway through the second half. (17.12.11)

Elche moved to the top of the table pending the rest of the weekend's results after thrashing Alcorcón 6-0 on Friday night. Within half an hour they were already four up, Angel opening the scoring in the fifth minute after Nicki Bille set him up. Palanca scored the second soon afterwards with an impressive volley from Angel's cross, and Bille got the third, beating Manu Herrera with a shot from the edge of the area. Angel made it four from another Bille assist, and the striker completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Babín handled in the area just five minutes after the restart. Angel rounded off a great night gifting the sixth to Xumetra a few minutes later, and Alcorcón's only reply was a last minute header against the bar from Agus. (16.12.11)