Abdurrahman Dereli opened the scoring in the 51st minute for the Sivas club before substitute Sezer Badur wrapped up the victory 15 minutes later.

The result means Sivasspor pull clear of Trabzonspor, who did not play today, while Galatasaray are now four points off the pace in third.

Besiktas closed to within a point of fifth-placed Fenerbahce after Roman Kratochvil's 28th-minute own goal proved enough for a 1-0 win over struggling Denizlispor.

Besiktas held on despite having Tomas Zapotocny sent off 13 minutes from time.

The Istanbul club are now four points clear of Kayserispor in seventh after they were beaten 3-1 by Genclerbirligi.

James Troisi was the hero for the visitors with a hat-trick (24, 56, 88). Mehmet Topuz briefly pulled Kayserispor level in the 56th minute but their miserable day was complete when Ali Turan was sent off (68).

Gaziantepspor could not capitalise on Kayserispor's slip as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Eskisehirspor.

Armand Deumi opened the scoring for the visitors on the stroke of half-time but Batuhan Karadeniz earned a point for Gaziantepspor with a 78th-minute equaliser.

Finally, Antalyaspor climbed out of the relegation zone - and dropped Ankaragucu into the bottom three - with a 1-0 away win over their rivals.

Sidney Tita netted the only goal of the game 16 minutes from time.