Sochaux still fighting

Sochaux served notice that they will not go down easily with a stirring 2-0 win at home to Europe-chasing Bordeaux.

Sochaux served notice that they will not go down easily with a stirring 2-0 win at home to Europe-chasing Bordeaux. Jordan Ayew and Cedric Bakambu grabbed the goals in the final 20 minutes to ensure Herve Renard's side did not lose ground in the fight for survival. Evian's 2-0 win over Nantes on Friday night had left Sochaux eight points adrift of safety, but again the Montbeliard club responded to the danger with an important win. Renard's side have now taken 11 points from the past six games - losing only once - and they were good value for their latest success despite riding their luck at times. The hosts created the best chances of a goalless first half with Bakambu denied by Cedric Carrasso on three occasions. The third was the most memorable, after 37 minutes, when Bakambu chested the ball and made an overhead kick that Carrasso miraculously blocked. Sochaux were impressive in the first half, but were lucky to still be on level terms on 58 minutes when Gregory Sertic rattled the crossbar. Nicolas Maurice-Belay picked Sertic out and his rocket shot beat Yohann Pele, but not the woodwork. Moments later it was a Sertic corner that picked out Ludovic Sane only for his header to go over. Cheick Diabate went even closer on 65 minutes when he shrugged off the attention of a couple of defenders to narrowly shoot over. Sochaux stole ahead on 70 minutes when Ayew finally broke his goal drought. The on-loan Marseille striker had not scored since November but, after stepping off the bench, took just a few minutes to make his mark as he took a touch before firing home from Sebastien Roudet's through-ball to complete a stunning counter-attack. Sochaux then ensured the points when Bakambu profited on a Carrasso howler. The Bordeaux keeper raced off his line, and out of the penalty area, to clear the danger he only made more acute when he managed to clumsily thigh the ball. Bakambu raced behind the red-faced goalkeeper to collect the loose ball and tap home.