French Ligue 1 report: Goalless draw no good for Metz

Basement boys Metz passed up the chance to collect some much-needed points as they held Caen to a goalless draw at the Stade Michel d'Ornano on Saturday night.

With 11 points now separating the bottom side from Ligue 1 safety, the visitors - who are winless in their last 18 league games now - were on top for a period during the second half but failed to turn their chances into goals.

While Patrice Garande's hosts could have stolen all three points at the death had Metz goalkeeper Anthony Mfa Mezui not pulled off a brilliant save to keep out Emiliano Sala's dangerous effort.

Caen, meanwhile, are in 14th place and just three points clear of the relegation zone.

The home side had the better of the opening exchanges and Thomas Lemar swooped on Gaetan Bussmann's poorly-cleared header after 12 minutes but only managed to volley his powerful shot inches wide.

Two minutes later, Lemar's corner from the left found Herve Bazile at the far post, but he sent his close-range effort just wide as the Caen searched for an opener.

Mfa Mezui was called into action midway through the first half as he kept out N'Golo Kante's drilled effort on the edge of the 18-yard box after he was set up by Julien Feret.

Just before the half-hour mark the visitors came close with their first real effort of note as Silvain Marchal released Bouna Sarr on the left flank and the latter took the ball down into the penalty area but failed to find the back of the net as his shot sailed behind.

The hosts came out of the blocks strongest as the second half got under way and Sala found Lemar at the edge of the penalty area four minutes in but the young French midfielder smashed his thunderbolt into the crossbar.

Metz began to dominate before too long as first a chance from Modibo Maiga on the left of the box forced Remy Vercoutre to make an excellent full-stretch save and secondly - on the hour - Ahmed Kashi swooped on a ball lost by Caen and drilled an effort onto the woodwork which brushed a post on its way out.

With less than 10 minutes remaining Florent Malouda had a half-chance to put the visitors ahead before Dennis Appiah cleared the danger ball and an unmarked Kashi sent in a stunning volley - forcing another good save from Vercoutre.

Moments later the hosts had their final say as Sala connected with Lenny Nangis's corner at the near post to test Mfa Mezui, but the Gabon international pulled off a miraculous save to see the match end goalless.