Olhanense gave themselves a fighting chance of Primeira Liga survival with a 2-1 away win at Rio Ave.
The home side, playing SC Braga in the semi-final of the Portugal Cup a few days later, made 10 changes for the visit of their bogey team.
In the previous four seasons the Algarveans had left Vila do Conde with maximum points including a record 5-1 win in 2010. Rio Ave took an early lead when Velikonja converted Tiago Pinto’s left-wing cross.
Fifteen minutes later and the impressive Lucas Souza made it 1-1 after good work by Sampirisi. Midway through the second-half and Lucas Souza was again in the midst of the action when he caught Roderick in possession.
Souza laid the ball off to Dionisi and the Italian made no mistake as Olhanense recorded their first away win of the season. With Belenenses winning and P.Ferreira losing at Estoril there are now just four points separating the bottom four teams with three games to play. Olhanense, two points adrift at the bottom, face a massive task with an away game at Benfica on Sunday followed by FC Porto at home. Olhanense will be without Colubrine (sent-off at Rio Ave), Regula and Koldrup who have amassed five yellows.
By CHRIS WRIGHT
