Marbella end best-ever campaign as runners up

Boosted by the support of 4,000 fans who turned out even to welcome the team bus to the ground, the hosts set out to play as they had all season: fluid attacking football which excites even the neutrals.

Villanovense, however, were out to spoil the party and did all they could to disrupt Marbella's flow by giving away freekicks.

They couldn't shackle Añón, though, who was magnificent in the middle of the park and was instrumental in creating seven clear chances in the first half, five of which were saved by in-form keeper Leandro.

The best came just before the break when the ball fell to Rioja in the six-yard box, but Leandro was again to the rescue, having saved a shot just seconds before.

After just 50 minutes, Ferrón was introduced up top for a jaded Juanfran to keep his side on the front foot with his energy and running in the channels.

Eventually the pace of Fernando Estévez's side took its toll on Villanovense's Barrio who received his second yellow for a mistimed challenge on Rioja. With more than half an hour still on the clock, it became only a matter of time until the hosts took the lead.

With the further introductions of Indiano and Otín, Marbella's domination was absolute. However, the breakthrough didn't come until just six minutes from the end when Otín's cross from the left wing was flicked in spectacularly by Ferrón who sent the Municipal stadium into raptures.

Marbella were doing their bit but the nerves quickly returned as attentions switched again to Cartagena, hoping for a late Écija winner.

This, though, didn't come and Marbella had to console themselves with a second-place finish and must now focus on the lottery of the playoffs for promotion to Segunda.