It may have been their weekend off, but the task facing champions CD Menorca to make the promotion play-offs grew even greater.

After ended more than 30 years of hurt last summer to win Regional Preferente Menorca, CD Menorca look set to miss out on a top five spot which this year carries a chance of promotion.

They sit seven points behind fifth-placed Atletico Villacarlos, who continued their surprising uplift in form this term with a 1-1 draw at home to UE Sami at the weekend.

Menorca’s city rivals UD Mahon moved within a point of a play-off spots with a 6-0 thrashing of Atletic Ciutadella. The hosts managed to keep the score to just one in the first half, but braces in the second half from Marc Sintes and substitute Victor saw them home comfortably.

CD Migjorn held off a late fightback to win 3-2 at home to Sporting Mahon to maintain their place in the top four, while CE Alaior kept up the pressure on league leaders CE Ferreries with a 5-0 thumping of CF Norteno, who sit bottom.

Ferreries survived some late drama to win 3-2 at CCE Sant Lluis. Having trailed early on, they were handed a way back in to the match when Sant Lluis’ Dani Penato was sent off in conceding a penalty that was scored by Carlos to level the game at 1-1.

Sergio’s goal put Ferreries 2-1 ahead only for Marc Parpal’s 89th minute equaliser to seemingly earn the 10 men a point – until David struck a late winner.

Ferreries sit top on 33 points, having played one less game than closes rivals CE Alaior (33 points) and UE Sami (29).

Next is CD Migjorn (27) and Atletico Villacarlos (26) to round off the top five, before UD Mahon (25), Sporting Mahon (20) and CD Menorca (19) lag behind.

Each team will play 20 matches in total, with Ferreries having six games left to secure the title and a place in the champions promotion play-off.

Meanwhile, in Tercera Division, CE Mercadal boosted their survival chances with a 2-1 win away at CD Collerense.

The win means they move three points clear of their opponents and the relegation zone.

Matchday 16 results

• At Ciutadella 0-6 UD Mahon
• CCE Sant Lluis 2-3 CE Ferreries
• CF Norteno 0-5 CE Alaior
• CD Migjorn 3-2 Sporting Mahon
• Atletico Villacarlos 1-1 UE Sami

Matchday 17 fixtures

• UE Sami v CD Menorca (Saturday, 4pm)
• CE Alaior v CD Migjorn (Saturday, 5pm)
• UD Mahon v CCE Sant Lluis (Saturday, 5pm)
• CE Ferreries v CF Norteno (Saturday, 6pm)
• Sporting Mahon v Atletico Villacarlos (Sunday, 12pm)