Francisco Geraldes and André Geraldes were introduced to the starting line-up in an effort to boost João de Deus' side to a win that is proving hard to come by, while Leonardo Ruiz was also given a place for the opening whistle. It was actually the Colombian forward who created the first chance on goal, latching on to a cross with a header only to be denied by a superb save from Paulo Vítor.

 

Down the other end of the park, Varzim were proving more deadly and Malele netted following a set piece after a defensive mix up.

 

Paulo Victor made another couple of good stops before the break, first after a header from Gelson Dala and then from a shot by Kiki. 

 

The second-half continued with Sporting CP looking for a goal and a much deserved strike finally came from Leonardo Ruiz after he linked up with Francisco Geraldes and Gelson Dala.

 

However, the deadlock only lasted five minutes, when Rui Costa punished a mistake from Abdu Conté inside the 18-yard box to steal the points for the visitors.

 

Sporting CP B currently sit just one position off the bottom off the table, with a total of five points.