Turkey round-up: Antalyaspor sunk in Samsun

Antalyaspor were condemned to relegation today by a 2-0 defeat at Samsunspor.

Samsunspor survive
Samsunspor, along with Antalyaspor, occupied one of the three relegation places before today's games, but their victory, through goals from Celil Sagir and Mustafa Kocabey, lifted them clear and they were replaced in the drop zone by Rizespor, who slipped to a 3-1 defeat against Istanbulspor.

Late goal
After a nervy start Samsunspor went ahead on 41 minutes, Sagir connecting perfectly with Mehmet Nas' cross to head home. Antalyaspor continued to scrap, despite going behind, but suffered a major setback in their efforts to pull the game level when Atilla Birlik was sent off two minutes after the hour mark after picking up a second yellow card. Their fate was sealed eight minutes from time when Kocabey put the game beyond doubt from Adnan Güngör's pass.

Isler on target
Rizespor's 3-1 defeat against Istanbulspor AS leaves them with a mountainous battle against the drop. They will need to better Samsunspor's result by two goals next weekend if they hope to avoid losing their top-flight status. Istanbulspor took the lead after 67 minutes when Cenk Isler scored the first of two goals with a low shot.

Erdogan strikes
Rizespor were back on terms just two minutes later though, Ünal Alpugan volleying home from outside the box after Fatih Dereli's cross. Isler restored the home side's lead in the 75th minute after converting Hadis Zubanovic's cross from close range for his second goal of the match. The victory was complete a minute from time when Murat Erdogan got his name on the scoresheet.

Besiktas defeated
Besiktas JK, who were guaranteed third place and a UEFA place before today's games, went down to a 2-1 home defeat against mid-table Göztepe. Ahmet Dursun gave Besiktas the lead with a well-struck free-kick after 30 minutes but Helman Mkhalele equalised two minutes later before striker Mehmet Önür hit the winner for the visitors in the 71st minute.

Gaziantepspor triumphant
Gaziantepspor moved a step closer to UEFA Cup qualification with a 2-1 win at relegated Yozgatspor. They are now level on points with Denizlispor, who drew 1-1 at MKE Ankaragücü, going into the final games. Elsewhere, Diyarbakirspor and Malatyaspor played out a goalless draw to secure their top flight status, as did Trabzonspor and Gençlerbirligi SK.