Beira Mar get a lift, Sporting lose again

Beira Mar emerged from their basement battle with Nacional with a morale-boosting 4-2 win that lifts them off the foot of the table on Sunday. The Gold and Blacks headed to Madeira bottom of the table and two points behind their hosts, but returned home a point ahead of them. Javier Balboa opened the scoring 12 minutes in and when Ruben Ribeiro doubled their lead before the break, they looked safe. Cordeiro then looked to have given Nacional a chance from the spot (52), but Jaime`s goal restored Beira`s two-goal cushion. But back came Nacional, with Cordeiro scoring again, before Beira sealed things through Vincent Sasso, despite Jaime's 73rd-minute sending off. Estoril secured their second win of the season thanks to a late show at Academica. Marco Silva's side left the Estadio Cidade de Coimbra 2-0 victors, but it had not looked like being the case until Bruno scored with six minutes left. Academica then had Bruno China sent off, with Carneiro making the numerical advantage count (90), before the home side lost another man when Edinho was dismissed. There was another away win in Moreirense as Rio Ave left Minho with a 1-0 win, given to them by well-travelled former Portugal striker Joao Tomas' 58th-minute goal. Life continues to be a struggle for Sporting, who were beaten 2-1 at Vitoria Setubal. Franky Vercauteren's men are just two points off the bottom of the table after going down at the Estadio do Bonfim. Pedro Santos put the home side ahead and, although Jeffren equalised, they went back in front through Albert Ze Meyong and held on despite Bruno Lourenco's dismissal. They day's other game could not provide such drama, with Pacos Ferreira drawing 0-0 with Olhanense. From FIFA