In the 2018–19 season, Hércules CF mounted a strong promotion push under head coach Lluís Planagumà, finishing second in Segunda División B Group 3 with 67 points (19 wins, 10 draws, and 9 losses) behind Atlético Baleares. Built on a stingy defense that conceded just 24 goals in 38 league matches, the Alicante club advanced to the 2018–19 Segunda División B promotion play-offs, where they eliminated both Barakaldo and Logroñés to reach the final round. Ultimately, their bid to return to the second tier fell just short in the final tie against Ponferradina, losing 1–3 at home at the José Rico Pérez Stadium—in front of the division's highest attendance of the campaign (26,256)—and 1–0 away.