Reims add to Brest woes

Goals by Nicolas Fauvergue and Diego earned Reims three points which leaves Brest deeper in relegation trouble.

Goals by Nicolas Fauvergue and Diego earned Reims three points which eased them away from the Ligue 1 relegation zone and left hosts Brest deeper in trouble. Fauvergue opened the scoring just before the half hour and Diego curled in a superb free-kick with 13 minutes to go to complete the scoring. Brest had the first opening when Larsen Toure released Charlison Benschop on the edge of the penalty area but his low right-footed drive was straight at Reims goalkeeper Kossi Agassa. The visitors had to wait until the 25th minute for their first real opening when a Johann Ramare cross found Diego unmarked inside the penalty area. But with only the Brest keeper to beat he shot at Alexis Thebaux who pulled off a fine save to keep the game goalless. Three minutes later Fauvergue broke the deadlock. Diego released Franck Signorino on the left and he crossed toward the near post where Fauvergue finished in style. Florian Raspentino set up Bruno Grougi but his shot was met with a good save by Agassa to keep his side in front as half-time approached. Nine minutes into the second half Signorino released Diego who shot from long range but Thebaux was able to gather the ball. Brest were not about to give up and forced the next chance after 63 minutes as Grougi took a corner from the right. Agassa punched the ball away and it fell to Toure at the edge of the penalty area. He met the ball with a volley which Agassa kept out at the expense of another corner. With 13 minutes remaining Reims wrapped up the points when Diego struck from a free-kick. Diego lined up a shot from the edge of the penalty area, curling the ball perfectly to beat Thebaux. Brest went close to a consolation goal with time nearly up as Grougi's corner from the right was punched clear by Agassa. The ball was met with a right foot volley by Magaye Gueye but his effort was just over the bar.