El Cartgena funciona a la desesperada. By Steve.

SPIRITED PERFORMANCE BY DESPERATE CARTAGENA 

FC CARTAGENA - 1 GIRONA FC - 1 

BY STEVE HIBBERD 

Against fellow relegation candidates Girona, Los Albinegros huffed and puffed, but unfortunately only added a solitary point to their div 2a tally. Amazingly, after such a dismal recent run of results, they find themselves still only 5 points from safety, where Huesca occupy the coveted 18th place on 30 points. It was at Girona, that Cartagena secured a first win of the season, but the men from northern Catalonia have improved sufficiently to lift themselves from a seemingly hopeless position, to now sit only a point behind their hosts. Once again, manager Carlos Rios made unenforced changes to the home side, in yet another bid to find a successful formula. Disaster struck after only 7 mins, when ex Cartagena player Goiria (yes, the very same one who scored a total of ONE goal in god knows how many matches, and who fully deserved the mantle of Gloria!) put in a sweet cross from the right, which was firmly headed into the net, just inside the far post, by Corominas. 

This seemed to be the kick up the proverbial that the home side needed, for they instantly stepped up a gear or 2. Midway through the half, Collantes firmly struck a 25 yard free kick against the post, but it wouldn't be long before the tricky little midfielder would notch up his 7th goal of the season. Picking up a pass from the recalled Chamorro, he rifled in a peach of a shot from just inside the box, which beat opposing keeper Mallo all ends up. The 2nd half saw the action continue thick and fast, with both teams creating chances early on. Cartagena keeper Juanma pulled off a great save after only 3 mins had elapsed, then straight up the other end, his opposite number denied Chamorro a certain goal. On 56 mins, Girona should have gone ahead, but somehow Jandro shot across the front of an empty goal, leaving 5,000 Cartagena fan mightily relieved. Next it Chamorro, who once again found himself in a great position to score, but alas his header from a Lafuente cross, eased the wrong side of the cross bar, as Cartagena fought back well. 

Girona keeper Mallo came to his sides rescue again on 71 mins, when he saved well from a Chamorro shot on the turn. This proved to be the last action for the giant striker, but his replacement Raimondi soon got in on the act. Seconds after coming on, he saw a great effort cleared off the line, then forced the rebound wide. With time ticking away, scorer Collantes produced 2 stunning long range shots, which both agonizingly missed the target, as the game ended all square. Next week it's the game all the province of Murcia has been waiting for. Make a note of Sat 31 Mar, ko 6pm, when Real Murcia host their bitter rivals Cartagena, in what will be a massive game (it will also be shown live on Murcian tv 7RM).