KSC Lokeren and Excelsior Virton played out a 1-1 draw in the Belgian Second Division on Sunday, September 20, 2026, with a late equaliser denying the home side all three points at the Daknamstadion. Lokeren controlled long spells of the match but were punished for failing to convert their chances.

Match overview

Lokeren started on the front foot and took the lead in the 22nd minute. A patient build-up ended with a low cross into the box, and Tom Van den Keybus swept the ball home from close range. The home side continued to press and created several opportunities to extend their advantage before half-time, but a combination of fine goalkeeping and wayward finishing kept the score at 1-0.

Excelsior Virton grew into the game after the break and began to find space on the counter. Their persistence paid off in the 85th minute when Lucas Prudhomme latched onto a loose ball inside the penalty area and fired past the Lokeren goalkeeper. The late goal stunned the home crowd and secured a hard-earned point for the visitors.

Key moments

• 14’ – Lokeren’s first big chance: a header from a corner sailed just wide.
• 22’ – Tom Van den Keybus scored to give Lokeren a deserved lead.
• 39’ – Virton’s goalkeeper made a superb double save to keep his side in the game.
• 85’ – Lucas Prudhomme equalised for Excelsior Virton with a composed finish.
• 90+2’ – Lokeren pushed forward for a winner, but a last-ditch block denied them.

Tactical story

Lokeren set up in a 4-3-3 and looked to dominate possession through their midfield triangle. Their full-backs pushed high, pinning Virton back and creating overloads on the flanks. The early goal was a reward for their aggressive start, but as the game wore on, they became increasingly frustrated by Virton’s low block. The home side’s tempo dropped in the second half, and their passing became predictable.

Excelsior Virton lined up in a 4-2-3-1 and defended deep, looking to spring forward on the break. They rode their luck at times, but their goalkeeper was excellent, and their centre-backs dealt well with crosses. The equaliser came from a moment of indecision in the Lokeren defence. Virton pounced, and Prudhomme’s finish was clinical. In the end, the visitors’ resilience earned them a point that had looked unlikely at half-time.

Standout players

Tom Van den Keybus was Lokeren’s brightest player, scoring the opener and linking play intelligently between the lines. However, he and his teammates will be disappointed they did not kill the game off. For Virton, the goalkeeper was the unsung hero, making several vital saves, while Lucas Prudhomme took his chance brilliantly when it arrived.

Belgian Second Division table impact

The draw leaves both sides in the mid-table pack of the Belgian Second Division, also known as the Challenger Pro League. Lokeren will view it as two points dropped, especially after leading for so long. Virton, meanwhile, will take confidence from a resilient away performance. With the promotion race and relegation battle both tightening, every point matters, and this result could look more significant as the season progresses.