Ligue 1: Ligue 1: Guegan claims first victory as Reims beat Bastia

Reims climbed above fellow strugglers Bastia in Ligue 1 as caretaker boss Olivier Guegan claimed his first win in charge.

David N'Gog fired the visitors ahead at the Stade Armand Cesari, with Aissa Mandi doubling Reims' lead before Giovanni Sio responded for the Corsicans, ensuring the game finished 2-1.

Former Liverpool and Bolton striker N'Gog edged Reims in front after five minutes with a close-range effort past Alphonse Areola in the Bastia goal.

And Mandi doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time when he rose above Areola to head home Diego's corner.

Bastia had only briefly threatened in the first half through Ryad Boudebouz but they were back in the game within two minutes of the restart.

Boudebouz's free-kick caused panic in the Reims penalty area and Mathieu Peybernes backheeled the ball into the path of Sio for an opportunist goal.

Anthony Weber set up Prince Oniangue for a 25-yard shot which would have restored Reims' two-goal advantage but for Areola's agility.

But Bastia finished on top with Boudebouz crossing from the right and Floyd Ayite firing into the side netting.

Algerian international Boudebouz was Bastia's best hope of finding a lifeline and his pass almost allowed Sio to equalise 12 minutes from time but Kossi Agassa responded with a firm hand in the Reims goal.

Bastia's third successive league defeat drops them to 16th place only two points above the relegation zone while Reims are now one point and two places better off.