Lierse failed to record back to back league wins on Saturday night as they went down 2-1 to Bergen.
Chris Janssens kept faith with the same starting eleven from the previous league match against OH Leuven a fortnight ago. Frederic Frans was serving a one match suspension for his red card at Anderlecht.
The home side took just nine minutes to open the scoring. Following good build up play from topscorer Jeremy Perbet, ex-Lierse player Tim Matthys headed Bergen in front: 1-0.
Lierse failed to produce any sustained pressure in the opening 30 minutes. Bergen looked the more threatening and Eiji Kawashima was forced into a couple of sharp saves to prevent Lierse falling further behind.
Lierse's best period of the half came in the ten minutes leading up to the break, when they created three great chances after another. Firstly a shot from Huysegems, then an excellent chance for Milos Maric after good work from Elgabas, but the Macedonian fired against the bar from two metres out. Finally it was the turn of Elgabas who forced Berthelin into a superb save. 1-0 for the home side at halftime.
Lierse began the second half better but again it was Bergen looking the more dangerous, and after 55 minutes they doubled their lead. A free kick led to commotion in the Lierse defence and Bourabia headed in from close range: 2-0.
Ten minutes later a cross from Maric. The ball sailed over the home defence and Huysegems was able to score from two metres out: 2-1. The home team then sat back and allowed Lierse more possession as the match wore on, but any opportunities were competently snuffed out by a solid Bergen defence, or stand in skipper Berthelin. Bergen upheld their strong home reputation (unbeaten since April) and win 2-1.
Bergen: Berthelin, Blondelle, Franquart, Debisschop, Matthys (70' Mbow), Zola (92' Mombongo), Sawaneh, Perbet, Bourabia (77' Nicaise), Sapina, Monteyne
K. Lierse S.K.: Kawashima, Grncarov, Elgabas, Vandooren (80' Dequevy), Gilberto, Claasen, Gaxa (71' Mathisen), Wils (64' Kovacs), Saïdi, Huysegems, Maric
Booked: 30' Wils (L), 58' Grncarov (L), 69' Blondelle (B), 85' Saïdi (L), 88' Nicaise (B)
Goals: 9' Matthys 1-0, 59' Bourabia 2-0, 72' Huysegems 2-1
Referee: Jimmy Verhe
