Second Division - Day 37

Oviedo wasted an opportunity to return to the play-off spots, a 0-1 defeat against Alcorcón leaving them still in seventh spot pending the rest of the weekend fixtures. The Asturians had dropped out of the top six after only picking up one point from their last three games, and although Rocha hit the post before the break, they were unable to break down a well-ordered defence. And midway through the second half Alvaro Giménez latched on to a Pablo Pérez to score the winning goal which takes the Madrid based team to within two points of escaping the drop zone. (05.05.17)

Second placed Girona took another big step towards a first ever promotion to the top flight after they beat fifth placed Huesca 3-1 in the last match on Saturday night. The visitors had gone twelve games without defeat, and the Catalans had lost their last three games in their Montilivi stadium, but with seven minutes to go to the break Portu ran through to put the hosts ahead, and just a minute or so later Sandaza converted a penalty after he was brought down in the area by Sergio Herrera. Shortly before the half time whistle though Samu Sáiz got one back with an impressive shot from outside of the area, and the result was in doubt until Sandaza latched on to Aday’s pass to wrap things up in injury time. Leaders Levante already secured their place in the first division last weekend, and they could be forgiven for letting things slip, Rayo Vallecano beating a much changed line-up 2-1 earlier in the evening. Embarba turned a shot under Oier to open the scoring for the locals on the quarter hour mark, and although Roger equalized from a Morales assist before the break, Lass headed in an Embarba cross to give the Madrid based side three much needed points.

Rayo are now five points clear of the drop zone, and Mallorca are just three away from safety after a last minute 1-0 win over Elche. B team coach Vicente Parras was in charge of the visitors for the first time after Alberto Toril was fired following five defeats in the last six games, and he saw Borja Valle hit the post in the opening minutes. However with the game seemingly heading for a draw Ansotegi headed a Culio corner towards goal, and although Juan Carlos managed to push the ball away, Lugo Junior turnd in the rebound to make it two wins in a row for Sergi Barjuán’s side. Elche are now just a point above the bottom four, and UCAM Murcia are only two points above them after they lost 1-0 at Numancia. Dani Calvo got in front of the keeper to head the only goal from a Dani Nieto corner just before the break, and local keeper Aitor Fernández did the rest to take the locals up to tenth spot. (06.05.17)

Getafe consolidate third place after they beat Córdoba 2-0 on Sunday evening. The Madrid based side are unbeaten at home since the end of September, and they failed to convert a couple of chances before Faurlín put them ahead from a direct free kick with just under half an hour gone. And Chuli made it two with a shot from outside of the area to leave the Andalusians on the brink of the drop zone. Getafe are now three points clear of Cádiz, who were held to a 0-0 draw by Nástic. The locals had a chance to win the game when Mossa was sent off for a second bookable offence after bringing down Ortuño in the area with eighteen minutes to go. However the striker fired his spot kick over the top, and only a good save by Cifuentes prevented Stephane Emaná from winning it near the end. Cádiz are now level with Tenerife, who beat Lugo 2-1 in the mid-day game to move up to fourth. Aitor Sanz headed the Canary Islanders in to the lead with just over half an hour gone, and although Jorge put through his own net at the start of the second half, Lozano got the winner after a shot from Aarón Ñíguez came back off the post with ten minutes to go.

Valladolid are back in the race for the play-off spots after a 0-3 victory at Almería, the result taking them to within two points of the top six. Raúl de Tomás opened the scoring on the half hour mark, but the result was in doubt unril a couple of minutes from the end, Mata converting a penalty and Joan Jordán adding the third in injury time. The defeat leaves the Andalusians in a four way tie with Córdoba, Elche and Nàstic, the Catalans occupying the last relegation spot on head-to-head goal difference between all of them. Reus are now five points below Valladolid after a 1-0 win over Zaragoza, Querol getting the only goal after Máyor put him through on the half hour mark. The Maños ended with ten men after Cani was sent off in the last minute, and they are still only four points above the drop zone. Bottom club Mirandés appear to be doomed however after they lost 0-1 to Sevilla Atlético, Marc Gual finishing off a good play by Borja Lasso midway through the second half to leave the visitors nine points away from safety. (07.05.17)