Belgian First Division wrap: Lokeren blow chance, Mechelen´s late win

KSC Lokeren missed the chance to climb into the top four of the Belgian First Division after being held 0-0 by KV Kortrijk on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Seth de Witte’s second-half strike secured a 1-0 win for KV Mechelen away to Eupen.

Guiseppe Rossini went closest for Kortrijk in the first-half at the Guldensporenstadion, while team-mate Mario Carevic threatened from set-pieces without success.

Croatian midfielder Carevic had a strong claim for a penalty turned down in the second half, but a Jeremy Taravel header for Lokeren and a final effort from Rossini proved to be the only other chances of note in a dire second half.

The draw leaves Lokeren fifth and one point behind Club Brugge but with two games in hand.

Kortrijk slipped to ninth following Mechelen’s narrow victory in Eupen.

Julien Gorius should have put the visitors ahead in the first half at the Kehrweg Stadion, but shot wide when one-one-one with Eupen goalkeeper Olivier Werner.

On-loan Fiorentina forward Matthias Lepiller troubled the Mechelen goal with a succession of dangerous free-kicks, but he was unable to find a way past Olivier Renard.

The match appeared to be drifting towards a goalless draw before de Witte rose to meet a Gorius free-kick, beating Werner with a near-post header to snatch the win with 13 minutes remaining.

Mechelen are seventh but, with three games in hand and just four points behind fourth-placed Club Brugge, they retain realistic ambitions of finishing in the European qualification places.

Defeat leaves Eupen 13th and just three points clear of the relegation zone.