Second Division - Day 3

Seven matches on Saturday evening, with Cartagena moving to the top of the table pending Sunday's games after drawing 1-1 at Real Unión. The two newly promoted sides shared the points, Víctor putting the visitors ahead from the penalty spot after Descarga brought down Oscar Sielva, and Goikoetxea equalising with twenty minutes gone with a shot in to the top corner of the net.

Last week's leaders Numancia lost 1-0 at Las Palmas, Javi Guerrero getting the only goal on the hour mark after Eduardo could only block an effort from Marcos Márquez. The visitors ended with ten men after Javier Flaño was sent off for a second bookable offence with a quarter of an hour to go.

Albacete's problems in recent seasons seems to be behind them, and they ended the day in fourth spot after a high scoring 3-5 victory over Castellón. Although Dani Pendín put the locals ahead in the second minute, Stuani scored twice to turn the scoreline around by the break. Mantecón equalised, but Stuani completed his hat-trick, and Fernando Sales and Hidalgo added two more for the Manchegans before Kike was sent off for giving away an injury time penalty, and Ulloa completed the scoring from the spot.

Real Sociedad are a point behind Albacete after a controversial 1-2 victory at Nàstic. After Agirretxe and Roberto scored for their respective sides the game seemed to be heading for a draw, but the referee awarded an injury time goal to the Basque side, even though Bueno's shot didn't appear to cross the line before keeper Rubén Pérez gathered the ball.

Hércules dropped down the table though after a 1-0 defeat at regional neighbours Villarreal B. The visitors played half the game with ten men after Sergio Rodríguez was sent off for a second bookable offence. And Marco Rubén got the only goal with five minutes to go, latching on to a loose ball in the area to beat Calatayud.

Elsewhere Celta and Levante drew 1-1, Xisco's early strike cancelled out by Saulo's goal ten minutes in to the second half. And Cádiz and Córdoba also shared the points in a local derby which ended without goals, visiting keeper Raúl Navas starring against his old side. (12.09.09)

Betis are already looking good for a quick return to the top flight, and they moved up to second spot after a 3-0 win over neighbours Recreativo on sunday evening. Sergio García got two of the goals before the break, the first from the penalty spot after Mora brought him down, and the second with a long shot over the keeper. Caffa wrapped things up with a header from Pavone's cross late on.

Salamanca could have been up their with them though if they could have held on to a two goal lead at Elche. Strikes from Salva Sevilla and Despotovic either side of half time looked good enough for the three points, but Carleto and Santos both scored for the home side in the last four minutes to make it 2-2 in the end.

It looks like being another close run thing though in the second division, with every team picking up at least a point, and nobody winning all three of their opening games. Murcia in fact find themselves in the drop zone (albeit on alphabetical order) despite picking up their second draw of the season. Camacho had given their visitors Huesca the lead soon after the break, but Natalio made it 1-1 a few minutes later.

A 1-1 draw as well earlier in the day between Girona and Rayo Vallecano. Despite playing with ten men after defender Salva was sent off close to half time, Piti appeared to have given the Madrid based side the victory before Juanma's late equaliser. (13.09.09)