Belgian First Division wrap: Gent close gap, Westerlo edge Sint-Truiden

Gent moved to within three points of Belgian First Division leaders Club Brugge on Saturday, while Sint-Truiden lost at Westerlo.

Goals from Elimane Coulibaly, Zlatan Ljubijankic and Ilombe Mboyo saw Gent to a 3-0 win at home to Standard Liege in the championship playoff group.

The win helped Gent back to within three points of Club Brugge, who recorded a 2-0 against Genk on Friday.

Sint-Truiden fell further behind in the relegation playoff after suffering a 3-2 loss to Westerlo at Het Kuipje.

Evariste Ngolok struck a brace for the victors, who played out the last half-hour of the encounter with 10 men after Ibrahima Sidibe was sent off.

Sint-Truiden midfielder Gregory Christ was red-carded in stoppage time of the clash, with his side slipping six points behind Westerlo with four matches remaining.

In the other playoff groups, which will help determine who progresses to the Europa League, Lukas van Eenoo’s brace gave Cercle Brugge a comfortable 3-0 win over Mechelen.

In the other Group A encounter, Lierse and OH Leuven played out a 1-1 draw.

Mons recorded a 2-0 win over Beerschot in Group B, while Hamdi Harbaoui struck a late equaliser in Lokeren’s 1-1 draw with Zulte Waregem.