Belgium round-up: No change at the top

Club Brugge KV preserved their 16-point lead at the top of the table with a 1-0 home win against R. Antwerp FC, although second-placed K. Lierse SK also won at home, 2-1 against KAA Gent.

Tight encounter
In a hard-fought game at Brugge, the away side had the better of the first half, and came the closest to scoring in the 37th minute when Brugge defender Philippe Clement cleared a Tony Sergeant effort off the line. Clement was also to make a crucial intervention at the other end of the field, heading the only goal of the game a minute after the restart.

Entertaining game
The goal seemed to inspire Brugge, who were rarely threatened despite Antwerp's best efforts. At Lierse, meanwhile, the game was much more open, with both sides attacking at every opportunity and creating numerous goalscoring opportunities.

Two for Huysegems
The home side went closest, with Marc Schaessens striking a post, before Stein Huysegems scored twice in quick succession, with goals in the 38th and 44th minutes giving the home team a comfortable cushion. However, the half-time introduction of Djima Oyawolé seemed to inspire Gent, and he created a goal for Nasredine Kraouche a minute before the hour.

Penalty miss
Gent then had a golden opportunity to draw level as Alexandros Kaklamanos was fouled by Lierse defender Michael Nnaji inside the penalty area, but Kraouche missed the spot kick. In a tense finish to the game, both Nnaji and Kaklamanos were shown the red card in the final 20 minutes.

More home comfort
Third-placed RSC Anderlecht also enjoyed home success, with a 2-0 win against R. Charleroi although the away side went close to scoring after 30 minutes when Eduardo hit the crossbar with a powerful shot. However, Aruna Dindane created the opening goal for Walter Baseggio shortly before half-time, and Nenad Jestrovic sealed all three points midway through the second period.

Emphatic win
Sporting Lokeren St-Niklaas were comfortable 5-0 winners against bottom side KV Mechelen and remained in fourth place thanks to two goals from Arnar Gretarsson and one each from Runar Kristinsson, Davy De Beule and Sambegou Bangoura. Mechelen's David Cry was dismissed on the hour for a second booking.

Standard success
K. Sint Truidense VV slipped to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of R. Standard de Liège thanks to a Jonathan Walasiak goal, while KRC Genk were also frustrated, drawing 2-2 at RAA Louviéroise, although they needed an equaliser from Bernd Thys two minutes from time to salvage even a point.

Three important points
KFC Lommelse SK further helped their relegation struggle with a 3-2 home win against KSK Beveren, with Mirek Waligora scoring twice, while KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen drew 1-1 at home to KVC Westerlo and R. AEC Mons were 2-0 winners at home to R. Excelsior Mouscron.