Third placed Cádiz suffered a major set-back in their push for promotion when they were beaten 2-0 by Tenerife on Saturday evening. After an initial period of pressure from the visitors the Canary Islanders took control, Vázquez heading Gavilán's cross against the bar midway through the first half. A few minutes later Gavilán cut into the area to open the scoring, and before the half time whistle the youth international added a second with a shot from outside of the area. Hidalgo, Raúl, Keko and Bombarda could all have added to the scoreline in the second half, and only a shot from Mirosavljevic caused any work for local keeper Alvaro. The win takes Tenerife up to sixth, albeit still twelve points away from their opponents.

Cádiz are now only three points above Eibar, who revived their hopes with a 1-0 victory over Sporting Gijón. It was a close fought match, even though the Asturians were left with ten men before the half hour mark when Gerardo was shown a second yellow card. Kike Mateo and Llorente failed to take their chances, and numbers were evened up in the second half when Alberto Suárez was also sent off after picking up two bookings for diving. David Bauzá should have put the visitors ahead when his shot was cleared off the line by Karmona with the keeper beaten, but with the match only three minutes away from the end, substitute Iñigo made himself space to beat Roberto and score the winner.

Lleida virtually made sure of staying up after beating Gimnastic Tarragona 2-0, the first time they have beaten their Catalan neighbours in the Camp d'Esports in around 30 years. The early chances fell to the visitors, Diego Torres and Bolo putting efforts wide, with Crusat replying for the home side. Txema headed home a long ball in from Stankovic though just ten minutes in to the second half, and Crusat added the second soon afterwards, following up after Valencia could only palm away an effort from Nakor. Edu had to keep out an Iván Anía free kick and an effort from Bolo later on, but Nakor could have increased the lead had his lob not just cleared the bar near the end. (21.05.05)

Leaders Celta were beaten 3-1 by bottom club Pontevedra in their local derby on Sunday lunchtime, a third defeat in a row for Fernando Vázquez's side. Rubén Reyes put the home side in front in only the third minute with a well struck free kick, but an active Jandro brought a good save out of Moso before beating the keeper soon afterwards with a shot into the top corner of the net. The locals appeared to be in trouble when Reyes was sent off midway through the second half after picking up a second booking for taking a free kick too early, but Javi Rodríguez picked up a pass from Charles to restore the lead just five minutes later. Vázquez brought on an extra forward Sava, and Jandro, Israel and Contreras all went close as they pushed for the equaliser. But Juan Jesús beat Pinto on a rapid breakaway in injury time to ensure his side the three vital points.

Alavés took advantage later in the evening to overtake the Galicians and move to the top of the table after beating Almería 0-1. The Vitoria based side had the better chances, Bodipo and Rubén Navarro both going close before the break, De Lucas firing into the side netting after the restart and Angel hitting the post soon afterwards. But it was not until eight minutes from the end that Bodipo set up Navarro for him to score the only goal, keeping up a run of seven wins in a row. The result left Paco Flores's side down in the bottom four by the end of the weekend after going five games without a win.

Recreativo were unable to capitalize on the defeats of Celta and Cádiz though, their 0-0 draw at neighbours Xerez leaving them level with Eibar, still three points adrift of the promotion spots. Uche shot just wide for the visitors early on, but Luque saved well from youngster Narvaez and Camuñas soon afterwards at the other end. Both sides had chances after the break but were unable to take advantage, and the locals ended the game with nine men after Rios picked up a second booking and Monteagudo went off injured with all three substitutions made.

The top five are now nine points ahead of sixth placed Tenerife and eleven above Valladolid, who are already out of the running for promotion after going their last five games without a win. They did at least improve their position in the table this weekend with a 3-0 victory over Málaga B, and they move up to eighth, level with Elche. Their poor recent form though meant their Nuevo Zorrillo stadium was virtually empty, but the few fans who turned up saw them take the lead in the fifth minute when Losada picked up a pass from Víctor to score. Losada returned the favour for Víctor to score the second four minutes later, and although Geijo hit the post, Víctor wrapped things up with a second half penalty after he himself was fouled.

Ciudad Murcia kept themselves clear of the drop zone after beating Racing Ferrol 3-0, although with the teams below them doing well too they are still only a point above the bottom four. Güiza was once again one of their best players, and after going close a number of times he picked up an assist from Luque to open the scoring midway through the first half, taking his tally to twenty for the season. Keeper José Juan stopped Bermejo from equalising immediately after the restart, but Gibanel made it two with a spectacular volley following a corner, and Cuevas finished things off on a rapid counter-attack in injury time.

The fight to avoid promotion is hotting up, with Salamanca climbing out of the bottom four, above Almería on goal difference, after beating an unmotivated Elche 0-2. Jaime opened the scoring with a shot from the edge of the area in the tenth minute, but the locals had a chance to equalize when the referee ruled that Luis Gil had been fouled in the area. However Jon Ander dived to save Nino's spot kick, and Deus put the result beyond doubt a few minutes later just seconds after he came on as substitute, taking the pressure off coach Andoni Goikoetxea.

Córdoba's revival continued with a 2-1 victory over Poli Ejido, their third win in a row. Anderson, Cristian Alvarez and Frederick all went close before Marc Bertrán headed the Andalusians into the lead on the half hour mark. Jacobo brought a first save out of Saja ten minutes in to the second half, but Anderson made it two a couple of minutes later after Kike could only push out Frederick's shot. Calado got one back from the penalty spot later in the second half after Pierini fouled Toedtli, but the home side held on to move to within two points of safety

Terrassa dropped down to next to bottom spot though after losing 0-2 at home to Real Murcia, and they are now just two points above bottom club Pontevedra. The Catalans totally dominated the first half, Monty going close three or four times, including a free kick against the bar. But the visitors took the lead with a Julio Alvarez penalty twenty minutes from the end after the winger was fouled by Cristian, and Iván Alonso put the result beyond doubt with a second goal in the last minute of the game. (22.05.05)