Two late goals gave Sporting a 2-0 win over 10-man Uniao Leiria in the Portuguese premier league on Saturday, lifting them within two points of leaders Porto.

Porto, who visit Alverca on Monday, head the table on 36 points followed by Sporting on 34.

Sporting, surprisingly beaten by second division Vitoria Setubal in the Portuguese Cup in midweek, looked jittery.

But the home team were given a boost when Leiria's Brazilian defender Gabriel Atz was sent off for two bookable offences in the 47th minute.

A string of excellent saves by Brazilian goalkeeper Helton Arruda kept Sporting at bay until substitute Luis Lourenco struck with 15 minutes to go.

Two minutes after replacing Brazilian midfielder Fabio Rochemback, captain Pedro Barbosa crossed for striker Lourenco to score with a header.

Barbosa sealed Sporting's fifth consecutive league victory with a penalty seven minutes later.

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