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Second Division - Day 38

It is becoming a bit of a habit for Córdoba to win on Friday evenings, and once again they fought their way back in to the play-off spots after a 4-2 victory over bottom club Gimnàstic. The Andalusians went two up at the break, Gaspar heading in a free kick midway through the first half and Pepe Díaz also heading past Rubén Pérez following a corner. Tuni got one back with a direct free kick soon after the restart, but Borja and Dubarbier added two in the next ten minutes to put the game beyond the reach of the Catalans. Raúl Fuster did score again for Nàstic late on, but they could do nothing to prevent another defeat which leaves them firmly anchored to the foot of the table. Cartagena are still next to bottom, but they are now four points clear of Jorge D'Alessandro's side after they came from behind later in the evening to beat Las Palmas 1-2. Jonathan Viera set up Momo to score the opener for the Canary Islanders on the quarter hour mark, but two goals from half time substitute Raimondi turned the scoreline around after the break. (11.05.12)

Deportivo are a step closer to a return to the top flight after a 0-3 victory over Numancia on Saturday evening. The locals put up a spirited fight at the start, Natalio and Nano both going close. But with a quarter of an hour on the clock Alex Bergantiños got on the end of Bruno Gama's cross to head past Zabal, and just three minutes later Lassad made it two with a shot from edge of the area after Valerón set him up. That virtually settled the match, and five minutes in to the second half Guardado made sure of the three points from the penalty spot after Pavón was sent off for blocking Valerón's shot with his arm.

With Valladolid playing on Sunday, Celta moved ahead of them to second spot after a 3-0 win over Alcorcón. The visitors were looking to consolidate their place in the play-offs though, and local keeper Sergio had to be at his best to save from Montañés early on. However a few minutes later Iago Aspas opened the scoring with an angled shot after picking up a pass from Alex López, and with the first half coming to a close Orellana scored his side's second on a quick breakaway. And with five minutes to go Aspas got his second of the evening from Hugo Mallo's cross to keep the Galicians within seven points of their regional neighbours in the table.

Almería's push for the play-off spots took a set-back though after they lost 1-2 to Barcelona B. Youth international Deulofeu set up Sergi Roberto for the first goal and then scored the second himself after a "Messi" type run two minutes before the break. And visiting keeper Masip made a couple of good saves in the second half, in particular from Ulloa, before José Ortíz finally beat him in the last minute of injury time. The defeat leaves Esteban Vigo's side three points off the top six pending Sunday's games. Further down the table Recreativo moved closer to safety after a 0-2 victory at Huesca. The locals had won six and drawn two of their last eight games, but they went behind when Javi Alamo beat Luis García on a rapid counterattack with a quarter of an hour gone. Quique Hernández's side hit the bar twice after that, but Alamo wrapped things up after running on to Rubio's through ball later on in the second half.

Girona are now only a couple of points away from escaping the relegation spots after a 5-1 win over fellow strugglers Alcoyano. The Catalans started the match just a point ahead of their opponents in the table, but by half time they were three up, Dani Nieto beating Maestro twice and Coro getting one in between. Gato pulled one back from the penalty spot midway through the second half, but two minutes later Coro scored again, and Nieto completed his hat-trick with six minutes to go. Girona are now only two points behind Guadalajara after Carlos Terrazas's side drew 2-2 at Murcia. Emilio Sánchez opened the scoring for the locals in the first half with a well struck free kick, but after the restart an Ernesto free kick and a strike from Gaffoor turned the scoreline around. Oscar Sánchez levelled the scores once again though in the final minute to keep his team three points ahead of their opponents in the table. (12.05.12)

A Manucho own goal in the fourth minute of injury time gave Hércules a 1-1 draw at Valladolid on Sunday lunchtime. The Alicante based side started the game in fourth spot, seven points and two places behind their hosts in the table. But they hardly bothered Jaime throughout the first half, and the locals went ahead in the twentieth minute when Marc Valiente touched on Nauzet's free kick for Javi Guerra to score. The intense heat took it's toll after the break though, and there was little action until Manucho headed a corner in to his own net right at the end. The result means that Valladolid drop out of the automatic promotion spots, below Celta on goal difference.

Later in the evening Elche virtually said goodbye to the play-offs after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sabadell. The Catalans went ahead through Aarón Bueno ten minutes in to the second half, and although substitute Nicki Bille headed in Xumetra's centre with five minutes left, they were unable to find the winner. Sabadell are now two points behind Xerez, who were beaten 0-1 by Villarreal B. Joselu headed the only goal early in the first half after good work by Manu Trigueros and Pablo Vázquez to take the youngsters a point above the Andalusians in the table. In the end though it was all in vain, as the relegation of their first team later in the evening meant that the B team will also be automatically relegated to the second division B. (13.05.12)