Lokeren misses chance to advance

With none of the top three sides in action, Lokeren could have put some pressure on the third-placed Genk but had to be content with a disappointing stalemate.

Rock-bottom Cercle Brugge remains six points adrift of the nearest team after a 2-0 defeat at Gent, which secured the win thanks to a 53rd-minute strike from Yaya Soumahoro and Ilombe M'Boyo's late effort.

Beerschot could not put more distance between itself and Cercle after going down 3-1 at home to 10-man Lierse.

Arjan Swinkels struck just before the half-hour and Abou Mosalem just before half-time to give Lierse a two-goal cushion at the interval and although Benito Raman halved the deficit in the 76th minute, Rachid Bourabia made sure of the win six minutes later for the visitor, which had Thomas Wils sent off late on.

Koen Weuts (67) and Derick Ogbu (78) helped Leuven come from behind to claim a 2-1 win at Mechelen, which had taken a 37th-minute lead through Seth De Witte.

Shlomi Arbeitman scored the only goal of the game in the 50th minute to give Mons a 1-0 win at Kortrijk. The visitor had Brice Ntambwe sent off after 72 minutes.