The visitors silenced Stade Velodrome after just 12 minutes when Mathieu Bodmer fired Lille in front.
But a goal on the stroke of half time from France international forward Steve Marlet put l'OM back in the match.
With Marseille's disappointing season seemingly set to continue, January signing Laurent Batlles netted an 81st minute winner, just before Lille had Mathieu Chalme sent off.
Rennes' triumph at home to Bordeaux was much less fraught as they comfortably outpointed the visiting side.
Olivier Sorlin gave Rennes the perfect platform for victory when he opened the scoring after just four minutes.
Swedish international Kim Kallstrom extended the lead on 58 minutes before Swiss striker Alexander Frei kept the hosts in command.
Maromane Chamakh netted a 75th minute consolation for Bordeaux but they could not maintain the fightback.
