Nancy fightback stuns Lille

Managerless Nancy came from behind twice to earn an impressive 2-2 draw against Lille.

Managerless Nancy came from behind twice to earn an impressive 2-2 draw against Lille. Ligue 1's basement club went into the game winless in the league since the season's opening day and having been rocked by the resignation of coach Jean Fernandez. Head of youth Patrick Gabriel stepped in as caretaker but had just one training session with the team, and saw his charges fall behind after only a minute to Nolan Roux's goal. But Romain Grange equalised and, after Dimitri Payet restored Lille's lead, Thomas Ayasse volleyed a second leveller. The draw leaves Lille with only two wins in eight games, denting their European ambitions, while Nancy are now seven points adrift of safety after a seventh draw in eight league games. The visitors wasted no time capitalising on any uncertainty in the Nancy ranks as Roux, having set up Payet to shoot against the post, followed up to open the scoring almost straight from the kick. It could have been even worse for Gabriel and his side two minutes later when Ronny Rodelin went over Julian Jeanvier's challenge in the penalty area, but the spot-kick was not given. And Nancy equalised in the 20th minute when Massadio Haidara picked out Grange, who fired a superb first goal of the season into the top left corner. Having gone close through Florent Balmont, Lille retook the lead shortly after the half-hour when Payet spotted keeper Damien Gregorini off his line and fired home off the underside of the bar. The second half started with Jeanvier making a brilliant goal-saving tackle on Roux, but it was Nancy who threatened thereafter. Grange drew an excellent save from Steeve Elana before the struggling home side salvaged a deserved point eight minutes from time. Lossemy Karaboue's long ball into the box was half-cleared by Aurelien Chedjou but Ayasse met the loose ball with a volley which struck Chedjou and deflected past Elana.