Beira Mar beat fellow strugglers Academica 2-1 tonight to take a giant step clear of relegation from the Liga.

The two sides began the evening occupying the two places immediately above the bottom two, but it was the ten-man hosts who opened up a seven-point cushion with just four games remaining.

Tomas Marinho gave Academica a first-half lead, but Nildo Petrolina struck either side of Zhang Chengdong's dismissal to earn the home team a vital three points.

Uniao Leiria closed to within four points of Academica with a goalless draw at home to Gil Vicente despite the 37th-minute sending-off of Edson Henrique.

Vitoria Setubal beat 10-man Guimaraes 1-0 in the evening's other game, Bruno Amaro with the only goal in the 57th minute after the visitors had Paulo Sergio sent off midway through the first half.