KV Mechelen kept up their hopes of a top six finish with a late win over Cercle Brugge on Saturday afternoon. The side have now gone eight unbeaten, with only two draws in that time. Just a few months ago they were relegation candidates, but now they have a chance of making the top six.
Cercle Brugge are also hunting a top six spot and, despite being without Pro League top scorer Kevin Denkey due to suspension, took the lead through Alan Minda around 20 minutes in. Just after 40 minutes KV Mechelen equalised through Kerim Mrabti, who was set up by Geoffry Hairemans. However, Mechelen conceded quickly afterwards as Felipe Augusto got his first goal for the club. A crazy couple of minutes was capped off with another Mechelen goal as the away side responded instantly, this time Hairemans scoring from an Mrabti assist.
Both sides had chances to win it, but with time running down Besnik Hasi swapped defensive midfielder Mory Konate for Bilal Bafdili. The youngster had come off the bench to score last weekend against Kortrijk and repeated the feat once again. His strike in the 85th minute proved to be the winner.
Mechelen close the gap to Cercle Brugge to just one point. The side have the most favourable run in of all the sides hunting a top six finish, with Westerlo and relegation candidates OH Leuven to come.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
