Defending champions Porto slipped up with a 3-1 loss away to Gil Vicente on January 29, allowing Benfica to extend their advantage at the top of the table to eight points with a 4-1 win over Nacional on Saturday.

Vitor Pereira's side hit back at Estadio do Dragao, but they had to wait until the second half to break down their stubborn visitors.

After keeping Porto out for the first 45 minutes on Sunday, Leiria lost Jose Alberto Schaffer to a red card three minutes into the second half.

They fell behind in the 66th minute to a goal on debut from Marc Janko, the Austria striker making his first appearance since joining from Twente in the January transfer window.

Colombia international James Rodriguez added a second on 74 minutes, and goals in the closing stages from Alvaro Pereira and Maicon added further gloss to the scoreline.

Despite the victory, Porto remain five points back from Benfica, while Leiria are bottom, one point and two places off the safety of 14th spot.

Also on Sunday, Marcelo Toscano's 17th-minute strike was enough for Guimaraes to run out 1-0 winners in their match away to Beira Mar.

Rio Ave were also victorious on the road, as first-half goals from Yazalde and Joao Pataco Tomas sealed a 2-0 triumph away to Olhanense.

Finally, Pacos de Ferreira saw off the visit of Feirense 3-1.

Hosts Pacos led through Manuel Jose Vieira's penalty and a Michel Lugo goal in the first 34 minutes of the match.

Alexandre Ludovic pulled one back from the spot for visitors Feirense five minutes before half-time.

But they proved unable to force an equaliser in the second half, and Okechukwu Christian was on hand to restore the two-goal cushion with a minute of normal time remaining.