Hercules have won promotion to the Spanish Primera Liga as Real Betis agonisingly missed out on a return to the top flight despite a 4-0 win at home to Levante.

Betis needed Hercules to slip up at Real Irun but the Alicante-based side won 2-0 to seal their place in the top flight for the first time since the 1996-1997 season and relegate their opponents in the process.

Betis, relegated the season before last, ended the current campaign with 71 points, the same as second-placed Hercules and Levante, who finished third and were already promoted before Saturday's clash.

Real Sociedad won the division and return following a three-year absence.

Twice champions of Spain, Real will renew their regional rivalry with fellow Basque side Athletic Bilbao next season.

Hercules and Levante, meanwhile, will join fellow provincial outfits Valencia and Villarreal in the Primera Division.

The Valencia region has only had four teams in the top flight once before, way back in 1945-1946.