Sochaux secure narrow win

Ligue 1 stalwarts Sochaux closed to within two points of securing another season in the top flight by beating Reims 1-0.

Ligue 1 stalwarts Sochaux closed to within two points of securing another season in the top flight by beating Reims 1-0 at the Stade Auguste Delaune. Ever-presents in the French championship since its inception in 1933, Sochaux have for most of the current season been coming to terms with the prospect of dropping into Ligue 2 and the unknown. But Sebastian Corchia's first-half goal delivered a second straight win for Les Lionceaux, who are now unbeaten in four games, and another great escape appears to be on the cards for Herve Renard's men. Corchia tried his luck after only five minutes after Sebastian Roudet freed him up on the counter-attack, but Reims goalkeeper Kossi Agassa managed to make the block. The Togolese stopper denied Sochaux again two minutes later, recovering well to flick Jordan Ayew's header away from the top corner. Reims threatened to open the scoring through Grzegorz Krychowiak in the 36th minute - the Pole clattered the crossbar with a header - but it was the visitors who broke the deadlock. With four minutes remaining before the break, Corchia volleyed Julien Faussurier's cross beyond Agassa to get the away fans bouncing. The Swiss border club could have done with extending their lead through Sanjin Prcic shortly after play resumed as eighth-placed Reims turned up the heat in their pursuit of an equaliser. Atila Turan's curling free-kick crashed against a post in the 75th minute and, two minutes from time, Floyd Ayite whipped the ball inches over the bar from just outside the box. Sochaux boss Renard bellowed at his men to retreat but it was so very nearly not enough as Reims substitute Eliran Atar came sniffing for a late leveller. The Israeli was well-placed to capitalised when Yohann Pele punched Ayite's corner into the middle of his own box, but the Sochaux keeper got down well to cover Atar's shot and preserved all three points.