Belgian First Division wrap: Genk on move, Brugge edge rivals

Genk moved level with league-leaders Anderlecht after beating Mechelen 1-0 in the Belgian First Division on Saturday.

A goal from Israel forward Elianiv Barda just after the hour mark was enough to secure all three points for Genk, who are now equal on 60 points with Anderlecht at the top of the league.

Fourth-placed Club Brugge put space between themselves and fifth-placed Lokeren with a 2-1 win at home against their rivals.

Croatian attacker Ivan Perisic and Nigerian forward Joseph Akpala scored on either side of half-time to put Brugge 2-0 to the good at the Jan Breydelstadion, and an 82nd-minute goal from Alfredh Finnbogason came too late to change the result for Lokeren.

Former West Brom striker Sherjill MacDonald scored a second-half double to help Germinal Beerschot to a 3-1 win over Kortrijk.

Kortrijk’s Gertjan de Mets had cancelled out Adnan Custovic’s opener for the hosts, but MacDonald proved the winner for Germinal with two goals in the space of eight minutes.

Bottom side Charleroi made it four games unbeaten after a goal from new Israeli signing David Biton gave them a 1-0 win over Sint-Truiden, while Mohamed Abdel Wahed’s 90th-minute strike salvaged a 1-1 draw for Lierse against Zulte-Waregem.

AS Eupen were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage against 10-man Cercle Brugge, held to a 0-0 draw at home.