Lierse drew 1-1 on Friday evening away to 4th placed Bergen. Lierse fell behind in the second half to a goal from Oussale, but Gunther Thiebaut rescued Lierse from defeat with an equaliser in the 88th minute.

Trainer Helleputte opted for a more organised line up in comparison with last week at Wetteren, and Seth De Witte returned to central midfield next to Thomas Wils. Mo Wahed moved out to the left. Nedzipi and Samir, who both started last week, dropped out of the selection.

Bergen started the match the better, ex-Lierse player Jarju showed his skills from the off, his shot drifted just wide of the far post. The second big chance was also for the Gambian striker, his shot again going just wide. Lierse's best chance of the first half came via a driven Matthys, his shot deflected, keeper beaten, but Grondin scooped the ball off the line. Oussale then found himself alone in front of Kujovic, after poor defending by Lierse, but our keeper spread himself to make a superb save. In the last minute of the first half, Camacho was beaten by Roussel for the first time, the experienced striker turned and shot, Kujovic reacted well.

In the second half more or less the same pattern of play, Bergen had the most possession and looked dangerous near goal. Lierse sporadically countering. Jarju was blocked in the nick of time in the penalty area by Camacho, at the other end keeper De Vlamynck made a good save from a nice shot from Matthys. In the 62nd minute Lierse fell behind, Roussel played the ball onto Oussale, and he swept the ball over Kujovic, 1-0. Helleputte immediately responded by bringing on Thiebaut in place of an injured Wahed (knee). Jarju then had an outstanding chance to double Bergen's lead, but fired over when well placed. Garry De Graef came on for Lierse, and their play improved. Cross from Cavens, Frans and Camacho just unable to get a contact at the far post. At the other end Bergen continued to look dangerous, a placed effort from Roussel was saved by Kujovic. Good cross De Graef, Thiebaut nodded on, Cavens fired over. Five minutes from time, Radzinski with a lovely pass, Thiebaut given too much time to turn, and was blocked from close range. In the 88th minute, Radzinski left his man for dead on the left wing and put in a superb left-foot cross, Thiebaut slid in at the far post to score the equaliser,1-1 A boost for the hard working striker, who screamed out with joy upon scoring. In the last minute a further chance for both teams, Kujovic, who had an excellent match, saved from a free kick and at the other end an overhead from Thiebaut landed on the roof of the net.

So Lierse won a hard fought point at Bergen, but will have to look on helplessly over the weekend, as either Eupen or United could relieve them of the leaders position.

Bergen:
De Vlamynck, Timmermans, Lépicier, Sankaré, Grondin, Van Imschoot, Bailleul, Zola (70' Diane), Jarju, Roussel, Oussalé.

Lierse: Kujovic, Frans, Van Hemert, Camacho, Vandooren, Wahed (64' Thiebaut), De Witte, Wils (70' De Graef), Matthys (90' Dreesen), Cavens, Radzinski.