Second Division - Day 18
Hércules are back on top pending Sunday's games after coming from behind to beat Albacete 1-2. Fernando Sales fired the locals in to the lead shortly before the break, but Cristian equalised from the penalty spot after Delibasic was brought down by Cabrero, and Rodríguez got the winner from an injury time corner. Cartagena hold on to third spot despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Córdoba, a fair result after the hosts had the better of the first half and the visitors played better after the restart. The point keeps the East coast side above Numancia, who had beaten bottom club Castellón 0-1 earlier in the evening. Del Pino got the only goal for the Soria based side in the second minute, beating Lledó with a shot in to the top corner of the net.
Betis could have spent Saturday night in the promotion spots though had they not drawn 1-1 against Huesca. Fernando Vega had given the Andalusians the lead, but they were left with nine men when Arzu and then Rodri were sent off, and Camacho headed a deserved equaliser with a couple of minutes to go. Salamanca too could have been level with Numancia had they been able to hold on to the lead at Real Unión. Salva Sevilla put them in front on the hour mark, but a mistake by keeper Biel Ribas allowed Goikoetxea to make it 1-1 later on. Real Unión stay down in the relegation spots, a few points below Recreativo and Girona, who cancelled each other out in a 2-2 draw. Migue equalised twice for the Catalans after Carmelo and then Alvaro Antón had put the Andalusians ahead. (02.01.10)
Rayo Vallecano and Levante stay outside of the promotion spots after drawing 0-0 on Sunday lunchtime. Keepers Cobeño and Manu were the stars of the match, although the anti-hero was referee Amoedo Chas, who sent off three players, Rayo's Salva just before half time and Tito with a couple of minutes to go, and Levante's Rodás midway through the second half.
Hércules end the weekend in first spot on goal difference though after last week's leaders Real Sociedad were held to a 1-1 draw at Villarreal B on Sunday evening. The locals were left with ten when Musacchio picked up a second booking early in the second half, and Zurutuza put Real ahead after Griezmann set him up with a quarter of an hour to go. But two minutes later Marco Rubén equalised, and numbers were evened up when Estrada was also sent off in the last minute. Gimnàstic are only two points off the promotion spots after they beat struggling Cádiz 0-1. Fernando Morán got the only goal five minutes before the interval, and the home side's challenge ended when Erice was sent off soon after the restart.
Further down the table, Las Palmas moved away from the danger zone with a spectacular 2-5 victory over Elche. Crespi headed the locals in front early on, and although Juanpa equalised, Trejo restored the lead shortly before the break. Within ten minutes of the restart though Rondón scored twice and Diego León got one in between, and Saúl rounded things off later on. Celta also stay out of the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw against next to bottom Murcia, although it took a last minute strike from youngster Joselu to save a point after Mejía had helped Natalio to open the scoring on the hour mark and then got himself sent off a few minutes later. (03.01.10)
