A rollercoaster afternoon for Ghent

AA Gent beat Lierse SK on Sunday to reduce the gap with leaders Anderlecht to just 1 point. Anderlecht had been held to a draw by Standard on Saturday. Gent seized the opportunity to up the pressure on the defending champions, despite missing a penalty. They had a late scare when Lierse equalised, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

AA Gent substitute Hannes Van der Bruggen scored the only goal of the match 20 minutes from time, a thundering shot in the upper left corner (photo). Ghent had enjoyed the better chances until then, but Lierse goalkeeper Boban Bajkovic stopped a penalty effort from Daniel Milicevic and neutralised an excellent chance for Ghent striker Laurent Depoitre.

AA Gent survived a late scare when a Lierse goal was disallowed for offside in the dying minutes of the game, and climb to second place, just one point behind Anderlecht. The Brussels club was left to a 1-all draw by Sporting Lokeren yesterday. Standard continue their comeback, posting a 3rd successive win, this time against KV Mechelen.

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