Fenerbahce’s Super Lig title challenge has suffered a setback when they were beaten 2-1 at struggling Karabukspor.

The damage was done in first-half stoppage time on Sunday, with two goals in quick succession from Florin Cernat and Birol Hikmet set the hosts on course for a victory which lifts them out of the relegation zone.

Alex responded for Fener midway through the second period.

Samsunspor also earned a valuable three points in their battle against the drop with a 3-1 home win over Eskisehirspor.

Theofanis Gekas struck shortly before halftime and Ekigho Ehiosun made it 2-0 in the 51st minute. Gekas was then sent off but Ugur Boral extended the hosts’ lead before Volkan Yaman scored a late consolation.

Antalyaspor and Manisaspor were left firmly in the relegation picture, and in the sights of Karabukspor, after both suffered defeats.

Manisaspor went down 3-1 at home to Bursaspor despite taking the lead through Murat Erdogan in the 14th minute.

Serdar Aziz and Wederson turned the game around before halftime and, after Manisa keeper Ilker Avcibay was sent off with two minutes remaining, substitute Ibrahim Bangura netted a late third.

Antalyaspor’s second-half comeback was not enough to earn them a point away to Orduspor, who led 3-0 at halftime through Hasan Kabze, Bogdan Stancu and Miguel Garcia.

Jaba and Emrah Bassan pulled goals back in the final 20 minutes but it was not enough as Orduspor held on for a 3-2 win.

Istanbul Buyuksehir beat Ankaragucu 3-0, Pierre Webo scoring either side of Serol Demirhan’s own-goal.