Rayo Vallecano striker David Aganzo insists his side's hopes of promotion live on despite last weekend's loss to Elche.

With just four games remaining, there are seven Segunda Division clubs still in with a mathematical chance of claiming one of the three promotion berths, although seventh-placed Salamanca are clear outsiders as they are 12 points off third spot.

Rayo, in fifth, also have a mountain to climb after suffering only their second home loss of the season against Elche on Sunday, going down 2-1 despite leading 1-0 with five minutes remaining.

That result left them six points adrift of third-placed Real Zaragoza and looks to have severely dented their chances of returning to the top flight for the first time since their relegation in 2003, but Aganzo still has faith the Madrid-based club can turn things around.

"The final word has not yet been spoken. Hope is the last thing that is lost," he said in AS.

The good news for Rayo is that two of their final four games are at home to promotion rivals in sixth-placed Real Sociedad and then Zaragoza on the final weekend.

There are also other clashes between teams at the top, as well as games between the leading sides and clubs fighting to avoid relegation, so there could be plenty of twists and turns yet.

Aganzo also pointed out that things do not always go to plan, adding: "We didn't think that when winning 1-0 in the 85th minute were could lose against Elche, but that's what happened."

Xerez are currently leading the race for promotion on 75 points, three ahead of second-placed Tenerife and four clear of Zaragoza. Hercules are fourth with 68 points, then come Rayo (65), Sociedad (63) and Salamanca (59).