Yet another big step by Elche in their push for a return to the top flight after a fourteen year absence, the second division leaders beating Huesca 3-1 on Sunday evening to open up a sixteen point gap over the third placed team. Coro started things off on the half hour mark with a shot in off the far post after combining with Damián and Xumetra, but with the first half coming to a close Borja equalised after the local defence failed to clear a corner. And for much of the second half the visitors were on top, forcing coach Fran Escribà to turn to his new signing Angel with twenty minutes to go. It proved an inspired move, the on loan Levante striker celebrating his return to the Martínez Valero stadium with two goals, the first after Carles Gil put him through just three minutes after coming on, and the second on an injury time breakaway.
Almería consolidate second spot, albeit still twelve points behind the leaders, after a 4-1 victory over Ponferradina. Corona forced a shot past Santamaría to open the scoring in the seventh minute after a shot from Charles came off the post, but a quarter of an hour later the visitors equalised when Charles headed a corner back past his own keeper, and after Mayor and Soriano both rattled the woodwork, Iván Moreno had a goal ruled out for a dubious offside. Charles made up for his mistake though when he headed in a Iago Falqué cross shortly before half time, his sixteenth goal of the season, and three minutes in to the second half Soriano increased the lead after turning in Zongo's cross from the right wing. That finished off Claudio Barragán's side, but Falqué made sure when he cut in from the left to make it four midway through the second half.
Girona are back up to third in the table after a 2-0 win over promotion rivals Córdoba. Both goals came after the interval, Jandro opening the scoring from the penalty spot after Armando handled in the area. Local keeper Dani Mallo had to make a couple of vital saves after that, but with the game in injury time Acuña ran through on a quick breakaway to wrap things up. The Catalans though are likely to be without Benja for the rest of the season after he picked up a serious ligament injury shortly before the break.
Villarreal lost more ground on the teams above them however after they could only draw 1-1 at home to Las Palmas. New signing Perbet opened the scoring on the stroke of half time following a corner, but Farinós missed a chance to increase the lead when Barbosa saved his penalty kick after Pignol fouled Uche in the area soon after the restart. And a few minutes later Murillo headed the equaliser from Nauzet's dead-ball kick to keep the Canary Islanders level with their opponents in the table.
Sabadell move above Villarreal to sixth after they beat bottom club Xerez 0-1. The visitors were left with ten men when Juvenal picked up a second booking midway through the second half, and the match appeared to be heading for a draw until Galán deflected a shot over the head of his own keeper in the fourth minute of time added on. It was a blow for new coach Carlos Ríos, and with the Andalusians in serious financial difficulties there is even talk of them abandoning the league in the next few days.
Financial problems too for Guadalajara after irregularities over their capital increase came to light, and they are now only two points above the drop zone after a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid Castilla. Jesé got on the end of Juanfran's cross to give the youngsters the lead midway through the first half, and after the restart the youth international set up a second for Cheryshev before Kepa got one back for the visitors following a corner. (24.02.13)
Third placed Alcorcón missed out on a chance to move in to the direct promotion spots after they were beaten 0-1 by Sporting Gijón on Saturday evening. Visiting keeper Pichu Cuéllar made important saves from Oriol Riera and Nagore before Sangoy latched on to a loose ball outside of the area to lift a shot over the head of Manu Fernández. And after that Cuéllar kept out Abraham, Angel Sánchez, Riera and others to hand the locals their first home defeat in over twelve months.
Recreativo's push for promotion also took a set-back after they were beaten 2-0 by Lugo. Iago Díaz cut in from the left wing to open the scoring for the Galicians with only three minutes on the clock. And although Jonathan Valle headed against the post for the visitors after the break, Oscar Díaz turned a Pablo Alvarez cross past Cabrero in the last minute to give the locals a much needed win.
Barcelona B move back up to fourth in the table though after a 1-0 victory over Hércules. Keepers Oier and Falcón were the best players on the park, but Rafinha won it for Eusebio's side, firing an angled shot in to the net after a corner came out to him midway through the second half. The bad news for the youngsters though was a serious knee injury to youth international Grimaldo which could keep him out for some time.
Herculés drop to next to bottom spot, Racing Santander climbing above them after beating fellow strugglers Mirandés 2-0. Quini put the Cantabrians ahead from the penalty spot in the seventh minute after Martínez handled inside the area, and Tiago Pinto connected with Ferreiro's pass to score the second some ten minutes in to the second half, giving José Aurelio Gay's team a much needed win on the day they celebrated their centenary.
Murcia and Numancia moved away from the relegation zone however after drawing 0-0 in the Nuevo Condomina stadium, the visitors ruing the chance to distance themselves from their neighbours after local defender Dos Santos was sent off for a foul on Natalio near the end of the first half. Cedric wasted the best chance to put the Soria based side ahead, but Molinero could have won it for Onésimo's side when he hit the post later on. (23.02.13)