Hacken reclaimed third place in the Allsvenskan table with a narrow 1-0 victory over bottom side Halmstad, moving back into the European qualification positions.

Hacken 1-0 Halmstad

Third place had previously belonged to Hacken, but a run of three games without a win allowed Djurgarden, Elfsborg and AIK to take turns occupying the final European spot in recent days.

The Getingarna knew that a victory at home against struggling Halmstad would be enough to put them back into third, and they got the job done despite having to settle for just one goal.

That goal, however, was worth the admission price. With the first half approaching its conclusion, David Seger and Abdoulaye Doumbia combined brilliantly to work the ball into the centre of the pitch.

Waiting for the opportunity was Julius Lindberg, who opened up his body before curling a superb first-time effort into the top corner from around 25 yards.

Halmstad struggled to respond after falling behind, with the visitors rarely threatening to find an equaliser. Hacken continued to look the more likely side to score after the interval, but they were unable to add a second.

The single goal proved enough, though, as Hacken moved back above AIK on goal difference to reclaim third place.

For Halmstad, the defeat was their third in succession and leaves them nine points adrift of the relegation play-off position. They are now 11 points away from guaranteed safety, leaving their battle to avoid relegation increasingly difficult.