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Match round-up - Second Division A, Day 6

Osasuna remain two points clear at the top of the second division after their two closest rivals, Elche and Gimnàstic Tarragona, could only draw on Sunday. Elche seemed to be on the way to joining the Pamplona based side on thirteen points when Armando headed in an Espinosa corner midway through the first half of their mid-day game against Oviedo. Esteban had to push an Espinosa free kick onto the bar before the break, but Erice hit the bar at the other end after the break, and with two minutes to go Susaeta made it 1-1 with a shot which Javi Jiménez couldn’t stop from entering the net. Nàstic meanwhile drew 0-0 at Valladolid, a result which kept them in third place for another week. There were chances at both ends, Kepa having to save from Rocha and Rayco, and Oscar, Rodri and Mojica going close for the locals. In the end though both coaches settled for a draw which keeps the Catalans three points ahead of their hosts.

Alavés stay a point behind Elche and Nàstic, together with four other teams, after they drew 0-0 against Leganés. The best chance of the game came just before the break, Borda heading a free kick against the post and visiting keeper Serantes saving from Guichón in the follow up. Omar Ramos went close in reply after the restart, and Serantes had to save from Raúl García near the end, but in the end honours were shared. Albacete took advantage to close up on the play-off spots, a 3-0 victory over Almería taking them a point behind Alavés and company. Samu scrambled the ball into the net in the first minute to give the Manchegans the lead, and Portu made it two after Jona headed on a Nuñez clearance shortly before the break. Sergi Barjuan’s side were unable to trouble fourth choice keeper Hugo Eyre, and César Díaz rounded things off with a third goal after Paredes set him up with twelve minutes to go.

Almería drop into the relegation spots as a result, and Mirandés also find themselves in the bottom four after a 3-0 defeat at Tenerife. The Canary Islanders just got their first win last week after a poor start to the season, but they went in front a few minutes before the break when “Choco” Lozano picked up a Suso assist to beat Raúl. Aitor Sanz made it two with a quarter of an hour to go following a corner, and Lozano lifted a shot over the visiting keeper to complete the scoring just three minutes later. Mallorca now find themselves at the foot of the table though after bottom club Llagostera drew 2-2 at neighbours Girona to move above the islanders on goal difference. The locals went ahead twice, Granell starting things off midway through the first half with a shot from outside of the area. Imaz connected with Giva’s cross to equalize soon after the restart, but Jairo restored the lead from Eloi’s cross a few minutes later. However Pere Pons was sent off for a second bookable offence with ten minutes to go, and five minutes later Juanto levelled it once again for the visitors. (27.09.15)

Osasuna stay three points clear in top spot despite playing out a 0-0 draw against Córdoba on Saturday evening. Enrique Martín lined up with nine home-grown players, and after a dull first half they had the better chances, Merino, Berenguer, David García and Nino all putting Razak to the test. Nauzet had to keep out Florin a couple of times at the other end, but as the clock ran down both coaches settled for a point. Córdoba join a group of six teams on ten points, including Alcorcón and Numancia, who ended the day in third and second places respectively. Alex Alegría gave the visitors the lead in the twelfth minute following a good team move, but Chema equalized a quarter of an hour later with a header from Djené’s cross. The locals had the better chances after that, but Jacobo Arrasate’s side held on to keep up their unbeaten record.

Lugo are also unbeaten on ten points after they drew 0-0 with Zaragoza. They will be grateful in the end for a point though, keeper José Juan saving the day with stops from Angel, Diamanka and others. Hernández also cleared a Vallejo header off the line, and Bono was only troubled by a couple of efforts after the break from Caballero. Once again though it looks like being a closely fought league, Ponferradina moving to within a point of the second placed teams after a 1-0 win over Bilbao Athletic. On paper this was home banker, Ponfe having won both their games in the Toralín stadium and the Basque team yet to pick up a point away. However the visitors caused several problems for Manolo Díaz’s side, and the only goal came with five minutes to go when Yuri beat Remiro after Acorán set him up. Elsewhere Huesca beat Mallorca to rack up their first win since being promoted. Tyronne connected with a Machis assist midway through the second half to take his side out of the relegation zone and above the islanders, who drop to next to bottom spot in the table. (26.09.15)