Nice earn a point

Joris Delle pulled off two excellent saves to earn Nice a point in their goalless draw at Valenciennes.

Joris Delle pulled off two excellent saves to earn Nice a point in their goalless draw at Valenciennes. Les Aiglons dominated before the break but Valenciennes hit back and Delle had to be alert to deny Pape Camara and David Ducourtioux in quick succession. Clear-cut chances were largely at a premium, with the high temperature perhaps playing its part as the hosts followed up last week's victory over Troyes with an uninspiring draw this evening. They were on the back foot for most of the first half, with Nice, who were beaten 1-0 by AC Ajaccio in their opening game of the season, starting strongly. Former Paris St Germain and Middlesbrough midfielder Didier Digard was a particular threat, shooting slightly wide from just outside the area. Abraham Guie Guie then released Franck Djadjedje, who teed up Mahamane Traore but the Mali international also missed the target. Digard tried his luck from 25 yards but Valenciennes keeper Nicolas Penneteau was equal to it to keep the scores level at half-time. Against the run of play, Daniel Sanchez's men could have taken the lead 11 minutes after the interval with their first sight at goal. Camara dribbled his way past several Nice defenders with a mazy run before unleashing a piledriver of an effort from the edge of the box that Delle did well to save. Two minutes later, Gael Danic's inch-perfect cross found Ducourtioux, whose fierce volley looked destined for the net but was once again palmed away brilliantly by the Nice keeper. Claude Puel's men weathered the storm and they could have pinched victory late on as substitute Alexy Bosetti's 30-yard strike was only just clawed away by Penneteau to ensure both sides claimed a point.