Intro:

Mechelen eased their relegation worries in the Belgian League on Sunday (19th January), following a 2-1 win over high-flyers Anderlecht.

Script:

Anderlecht travelled to the Argos Oil Stadium to face mid-table Mechelen in the hope that a victory would see them close the gap with leaders Standard Liege.

Four wins in their last five games saw John Van den Brom's side move up to second in the table and they made the perfect start.

Just a minute into the game and Massimo Bruno's cross was met by Andy Najar's head to make it 1-0 to the visitors much to the delight of the travelling supporters.

Anderlecht had beaten Mechelen 5-0 in the reverse fixture in September but under the guidance of new coach Frank Vercauteren, the home side fought their way back into the match.

Milos Kosanovic's free kick was well saved by Silvio Proto, but Steven de Petter was quickest to react as he bundled home the rebound to level the scores.

Mechelen completed their comeback ten minutes into the second half.

Sheldon Bateau found Aleksander Trajkovski on the edge of the box, but his shot came back off the post.

Once again Mechelen were quickest to react on the rebound, Benjamin Mokulu with the easiest of headers to give the home side the lead.

Anderlecht were unlucky not to find an equaliser in the dying moments of the match - Gohi Bi Cyriac's header coming back off the post.

It finished 2-1, Anderlecht remain second but are now seven points adrift of leaders Standard Liege.