Belgian First Division: Leaders stumble at home

Leaders Zulte-Waregem were held to a 1-1 draw by Mechelen in the Belgian First Division on Saturday.

Zulte-Waregem had to wait until the 73rd minute against 10-man Mechelen before Mbaye Leye handed them an equaliser, after Nicklas Pederson gave the visitors the lead eight minutes before half-time.

The draw keeps them in provisional top spot by one point ahead of second-placed Anderlecht’s clash with Club Brugge on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Petit-Pele Ilombe Mboyo completed his brace just after half-time to put Genk 2-0 up at Cercle Brugge, but the home side recovered to secure a 2-2 draw.

Rudy netted in the 58th minute for Cercle Brugge before Mushaga Bakenga completed the comeback 14 minutes later.

Beerschot pulled clear of the relegation zone with an important 3-1 win at Lierse.

Dalibor Veselinovic put the visitors 2-0 up with a double and Guillaume Francois made sure of the win with a third goal in the 64th minute.

OH Leuven and Kortrijk both stay in the top six after a goalless draw, while struggling sides Waasland-Beveren and Sporting Charleroi could not break through in another goalless stalemate.