The promotion play-offs began today, with two games brought forward to Saturday. In group C, Racing Ferrol got off to a good start in their attempt to return to the second division A after one season away, beating a young and talented Sevilla B side 0-1. It took an injury time goal to secure the three points for the Galicians though, Vosalho heading home a free kick in the 93rd minute. The Andalucians could have won it earlier on though, Puerta in particular wasting a couple of chances in front of keeper Bello Amigo.

Elsewhere a depleted Real Madrid B were beaten 1-2 by another Galician side, Ourense (all four qualifiers from regional group I were from the same area). With Madrid's first team calling up several players including Mejía and Jordi for first team duty, manager López Caro had to put out a weakened side. Nacho and Carlos took advantage to put the visitors two up with goals either side of half time, and Juanfran's late strike was small compensation. (22.05.04)

Four teams clearly headed their respective groups after Sunday's results, Lleida and Lorca winning their games to join the two Galician sides who played on Saturday on maximum points. Lleida beat Cultural Leonesa 1-0 in their opening group A match, an important win against the side expected to be their big rivals for promotion. The only game midway through the second half when Lezaun beat keeper Rafa.

The other match in group A between Celta B and Playas Jandía finished 1-1, Miguel Angel equalising for the Canary Island side ten minutes from the end after Jonathan had put the locals in front in the first half. The news later in the evening that Celta's first team had been relegated meant that Celta B cannot now go up even if they win the group, but under league rules they will continue in the competition. The match nearly didn't take place at all though, financially broke Playas only able to make the trip after a local businessman agreed to pay for the air flights.

Lorca could be the big surprise after opening group B with a 1-0 victory against Badajoz, the East coast side making it into the play-offs in their first season in the second division B after winning promotion from the third division last year. The visitors are looking to bounce back after being relegated last season, but they were left with ten men shortly before half time when Germán picked up a second booking and Jaime took advantage to hit the winner after the break.

An exciting end to the other group B fixture between Pontevedra and Mirandés, the visitors coming back from two goals down to save a draw in injury time. Javi Rodríguez opened the scoring for the hosts from the penalty spot early in the second half and added a second a few minutes later. And they appeared to be strolling to a win when the Miranda de Ebro based side had Dani Mayo sent off for a second bookable offence. But Gallo pulled one back, also from the penalty spot, two minutes before the end of ordinary time, and then struck the equaliser in the fifth minute of time added on.

Group C is recognised as the most competitive of the four, and two of the favourites Castellón and Atlético Madrid B cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw. The visitors lined up with under 21 internationals Gabi, Toché and Arizmendi in their side, and it was Toché (who's brother was on the opposing substitutes' bench) who put his side ahead early in the second half. But Atlético were left with ten men after Mané picked up a second yellow card, and Marcos controversially headed the equaliser in the fifth minute of injury time, two more than the fourth official had indicated at the end of normal time.

The last match of the weekend between group D opponents Lanzarote and Gimnastic Tarragona also ended in a 1-1 draw, and again both goals came after the break. The Canary Islanders were on top in the first half, but it was the visitors who took the lead on the hour mark when ex Lanzarote striker Jonathan Torres beat Tomás. Three minutes later though Raúl Salas equalised to put points on the board for both sides. (23.05.04)