With four games still to go, the promotion race is over in the second division! Almeria beat struggling Ponferradina 3-1 on Saturday evening to ensure their place in the top flight next season, joining the already promoted Valladolid and Murcia. There was a moment of doubt when Rubén Vega heded in Baha's cross to put the visitors ahead in the seventh minute. But Ortíz equalised after a long throw by Bruno twelve minutes later, and just a minute after that Kalu Uche got on the end of Michel's cross to turn the scoreline around. Borreguero hit the post and Raponi and Vega both brought good saves out of Westerveld either side of half time though, and although Mané also hit the woodwork, the young midfielder got himself sent off for a second bookable offence with ten minutes to go. Ramírez hit the bar again for Ponfe in the last minute, but with the game in injury time Soriano sent Corona away for him to tie things up.

Changes at the bottom though, where Alavés climbed out of the relegation spots after coming from a goal down to beat Poli Ejido 2-1. Toedtli had given the Andalusians the lead from the penalty spot before the break after the striker himself was fouled by Miguel Pérez, and Pedro Vega came close to beating a shaky Ardouin just three minutes after the restart. But Wellington Paulista forced López Ramos to turn a De Lucas cross through his own net on the hour mark, and Jandro hit the bar before Wellington got on the end of another De Lucas cross to score the winner himself near the end.

Alavés's place in the bottom four is taken by Real Madrid Castilla, who suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of the already relegated Vecindario. Xisco opened the scoring for the Canary Islanders in only the third minute after Michel set him up, but Negredo equalised from the penalty spot a few minutes later after Carrizo fouled De la Red in the area. Keleman had to keep out Negredo before the break, but Mirosavljevic restored the lead after picking up a pass from Xisco, and the locals held on despite having Marcos Suárez sent off near the end.

The last relegation place is still wide open though, and Las Palmas are only three points clear of the drop zone after they lost 3-0 to Numancia. The locals had not won in six previous games, but they took the lead when Bolo headed home Juanra's cross in the eighth minute. Visiting keeper Nacho González kept his side in the game with saves from Brit and Palacios, but Darino got himself sent off with twenty minutes to go for a second bookable offence, leaving the Canary Islanders with ten men, and Fukuda added two late goals in injury time to wrap things up.

Hércules virtually ensured another year in the second division after beating fourth placed Xerez 2-0, a good result for new coach Paquito, who took over from Josu Uribe a few days ago. Moisés opened the scoring for the Alicante based side on the half hour mark, converting a penalty after Gerard brought down Carmelo. The locals were left with ten men when Farinós was sent off ten minutes in to the second half, but soon afterwards Carmelo headed in Edu Albacar's assist to give his side their first win in seven games.

Sporting Gijón also pulled away from the danger area with a 2-1 victory over Salamanca, their second win in a row at home. Gerardo headed them into the lead from Congo's cross with just over half an hour on the clock, and they seemed to be on their way to the three points when Braulio was sent off for a foul on Jorge soon after the restart. But the visitors equalised when Susaeta turned in Gañán's cross, Michel getting the final touch into his own net trying to clear, and there were some nervous moments before Javi Fuego struck home the winner later on. (19.05.07)

Real Murcia suffered a hangover after winning promotion last week, Lucas Alcaraz's side falling 0-2 to Elche in their Sunday lunchtime kick off match. The local coach made seven changes to his side, and they paid the price when Peragón picked up a loose ball in the area to beat Juanmi with only eight minutes gone. Only Gallardo and Noel-Williams caused any problems for Caballero, and with the game coming to an end Miguel turned in a cross from Alfredo to ensure three important points for the visitors.

Now that Valladolid have ensured promotion, the fight seems to have gone out of their game. Medilibar´s side lost 2-1 to Castellón later on Sunday evening, and they have only taken two points from their last four matches. For a few minutes though they were on top, Víctor hitting the bar with a long shot before setting up Manchev to open the scoring in the eighth minute. But ten minutes later Natalio equalised after Tabares set him up, and before the break the two reversed roles for Tabares to put the home side in front. Both sides had chances after the restart, but tempers frayed near the end and Ibón and Iván Hernández were both sent off in injury time.

Málaga came from behind to beat Tenerife 1-2 and move level with Castellón on fifty points, a figure which is generally considered safe, albeit that this season they are only six points ahead of Castilla. The locals started well, Cristo testing Goitia a couple of times before Raúl Sánchez got on the end of Marc Bertrán's cross to give them the lead, his header going in off Jesule. Goitia made a couple more important saves, but Valcarce hit the post at the other end, and Hidalgo equalised against his old club with a shot from outside of the area soon after the restart. And with twenty minutes to go Gascón got on the end of Hidalgo's corner to score the winner and take his side to within a point of their opponents.

Only six teams are mathematically clear of relegation though, including Albacete and Ciudad Murcia, who drew 2-2 to occupy sixth and fourth spot respectively. It was a game of two halves, with the visitors going two up before the break, Gibanel taking advantage of a bad clearance by Buades to get the first and Goitom lobbing Javi Martínez for the second. Pablo García scored twice in the second half though, heading home Peña's cross and then beating José Juan with a shot from a wide angle, and he almost completed his hat-trick with a late free kick which the keeper just managed to keep out.

Lorca are virtually down however despite a 0-0 draw at Cádiz, a result which leaves them ten points away from safety. The Andalusians had not won at home since the end of February, and one of the smallest crowds of the season only had a couple of half-efforts from Miguel García to cheer them up before the interval. Xavi Moro and Ramos tried their luck at the other end either side of half time, but the first effort on target didn't come until near the end when Yagüe shot weakly into the hands of Limia. (20.05.07)