Belgium round-up: Brugge maintain dominance

Club Brugge KV moved 16 points clear of the chasing pack with a comprehensive 4-1 away victory over KAA Gent.

Martens on target
After a goalless opening 45 minutes, Brugge went ahead in fortuitous circumstances when Andres Mendoza's header was nodded past goalkeeper Frederic Herpoel by Gent defender Hamad Ndikumana in the 53rd minute. The lead was doubled three minutes later when Sandy Martens cleverly converted Nastja Ceh's cross.

Easy for Brugge
Ceh latched on to a rebound from Martens' shot to make it 3-0 with five minutes remaining and Martens added another with a delicate lob two minutes later. Djima Oyawole finally gave Gent something to smile about in the dying moments but Brugge's dominance was clear for all to see.

Lierse held
K. Lierse SK are in second place following their 1-1 draw at R. Standard de Liège. Mid-table Standard started well and took the lead when young winger Jonathan Walasiak converted a pass from Gonzague Vandooren in the eighth minute. However, Lierse equalised just after the half-hour as a misplaced pass from Vandooren fell to Kristof Imschoot and he fed Arouna Kone, who finished with aplomb.

Shock defeat for Anderlecht
RSC Anderlecht lost ground on the leaders as they slipped to a surprise 1-0 defeat at ten-man R. Excelsior Mouscron. Tonci Matic crossed for Mbo Mpenza to head in the only goal of the game after 24 minutes to hand Mouscron their first ever home win against an off-form Anderlecht.

Bangoura opener
Sporting Lokeren St-Niklaas Waaslan are fourth after a comfortable 3-1 away win against KVC Westerlo. Sambegou Bangoura opened the scoring after 20 minutes, before Toni Brogno equalised from the penalty spot six minutes later. Arnar Gretarsson also converted from the spot to restore the visitors' lead and Davy De Beule raced clear to beat goalkeeper Bart Deelkens in the final minute.

Odemwingie the hero
Elsewhere, RAA Louviéroise moved eight points clear of KFC Lommelse SK after a 1-0 win at the Tivoli stadium. The two teams meet two teams are set to meet in the semi-finals of the Belgian Cup, and it was Nigerian international Peter Odemwingie who settled the tie with a 43rd-minute winner.

Mons hopes enhanced
In the weekend's other matches, R. AEC Mons enhanced their UEFA Cup qualification hopes with a 1-0 win at R. Antwerp FC, while K. Sint Truidense VV were held to a goalless draw by bottom club KV Mechelen. Champions KRC Genk secured three points with a 3-0 home win over R. Charleroi SC thanks to a double strike from Moumouni Dagano, and KSK Beveren completed their third consecutive victory with a 3-1 home success against struggling KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen.