Nancy boosted their chances of qualifying for the Champions League as Bordeaux slipped to defeat.
Bordeaux lose as Nancy overcome bottom club
Nancy boosted their chances of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League as Bordeaux slipped to defeat at Valenciennes.
With leaders Lyon not in action until Sunday, second-placed Bordeaux had the opportunity to narrow the gap at the top to three points.
But, instead of applying the pressure, a 3-1 defeat at
Valenciennes means
Bordeaux could now fall nine points behind the multiple champions.
Valenciennes were ahead after 10 minutes through Sebastien Roudet only for Wendell to equalise for Bordeaux just four minutes later.
Filip Sebo restored the home side's lead on 64 minutes and Steve Savidan made the points safe 12 minutes from time.
Third-placed
Nancy opened up a six-point gap to fourth spot after snatching a late 2-1 success at home to bottom club
Metz.
Youssouf Hadji scored on 51 minutes before Metz levelled three minutes from time through Vincent Bessat. There was still time for Moncef Zerka to nick a winner for Nancy with a minute to go.
Marseille - fresh from a midweek cup humbling - suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to struggling
Sochaux, who scored the only goal after three minutes through Guirane N'Daw.
Toulouse picked up a point in their battle to avoid relegation after coming from behind to draw 1-1 at home to
Le Mans.
The visitors went ahead on 28 minutes through Hassan Yebda, but Andre-Pierre Gignac rescued a point for Toulouse on 63 minutes.
An 85th minute goal from Rio Mavuba was enough to secure
Lille a 1-0 away win over
Strasbourg.
Caen produced a superb second-half performance to thrash
Monaco 4-1 after the visitors had taken a fifth minute lead through Massamba Sambou.
Cedric Hengbart drew Caen level just past the hour, Jeremy Sorbon then put the hosts in front on 76 minutes before Yoan Gouffran and Issam Jemaa both scored in stoppage time.
St Etienne also turned on the style in the second half of their game against
Auxerre to run out 3-1 winners away from home.
Yohan Benalouane's own goal gave Auxerre the lead on six minutes before Christophe Landrin equalised on 63 minutes.
Ilan gave St Etienne the advantage with 20 minutes remaining and Pascal Feindouno added a third goal on 81 minutes.
Lorient increased their hopes of securing European football after a 2-1 win at fellow contenders
Nice.
Marama Vahirua and Rafik Saifi scored the decisive goals for Lorient, either side of an effort from Nice's Baky Kone.
Auxerre 1 St Etienne 3
Caen 4 Monaco 1
Marseille 0 Sochaux 1
Nancy 2 Metz 1
Nice 1 Lorient 2
Strasbourg 0 Lille 1
Toulouse 1 Le Mans 1
Valenciennes 3 Bordeaux 1
