CS Sfaxien failed to cut the gap on leaders Espérance after suffering a shock 2-1 defeat away to struggling Hammam-Lif at the Bou Kornine Stadium in Hammam-Lif on Tuesday.
Sfaxien, who were also looking to consolidate second place, started brightly and took the lead in just the 14th minute through defender Mohamed Ali Jouini.
Sfaxien were unable to add to their tally and were punished midway through the second half as Nassim Chachia popped up to level the game.
The visitors were then dealt another blow just four minutes later when Hamza Jelassi was sent off.
With the game seemingly headed for a draw, Chachia, yet again, seized an opportunity two minutes from time to score what would be the winning goal.
The result left CS Sfaxien in second place on 43 points, 10 behind Espérance and just three ahead of third-placed Monastir having played a game more than both sides.
Hammam-Lif, meanwhile, moved out of the relegation zone as they now have 18 points and are a point and a place above JS Kairouan.
Elsewhere, Étoile du Sahel condemned Ben Guerdane to a second straight defeat after winning their match 1-0.
Redouane Zerdoum scored the only goal of the game in the 79th minute to send Étoile du Sahel into fourth place on 37 points above Club Africain who will play Espérance later on Thursday. Ben Guerdane lies in sixth place on 31 points.
