Gazelec halt Nice as technology bails out Rennes

Gazelec Ajaccio recorded the club's first ever victory in France's top flight on Saturday as they stunned in-form Nice 3-1 in Corsica.

Gazelec, playing in Ligue 1 for the first time after winning back-to-back promotions, had picked up just three points coming into the weekend before chalking up their first win at the 11th attempt.

The result enabled the Corsicans to climb off the foot of the table, ahead of winless Troyes, while denying Nice a chance to move into the European places.

Gregory Pujol gave the islanders a first-minute lead but Nice equalised when skipper Roderic Filippi turned into his own net.

However, Filippi atoned for his gaffe with a 32nd-minute strike that restored Gazelec's advantage before Damjan Djokovic added a third just before half-time as Nice's four-match winning streak was brought to an end.

Goal-line technology was used to award a goal in Ligue 1 for the first time as Kamil Grosicki scored for Rennes against Lorient in a 1-1 draw.

Poland international Grosicki saw his 68th-minute free-kick pushed away by Lorient goalkeeper Benajmin Lecomte, but a goal was given after a signal was sent to the referee's wristband, with replays indicating the entire ball had just crossed the line.
Raphael Guerreiro had given Lorient a first-half lead but the technology ensured Rennes picked up a point, although Philippe Montanier's men are now without a win in six.

Promoted Angers stayed second following a 0-0 draw at home to Guingamp, while Montpellier notched just their second win this term as goals from Ryad Boudebouz and Casimir Ninga helped them beat Bastia 2-0.

Leaders Paris Saint-Germain will have a chance to extend their lead to seven points when they host Saint-Etienne at the Parc des Princes on Sunday, while Monaco visit Reims and 16th-placed Marseille travel to Lille.

On Friday, Lyon bounced back from their midweek Champions League defeat to brush aside struggling Toulouse 3-0 at the Stade Gerland through goals from Sergi Darder, Mathieu Valbuena and Maxwell Cornet.

Meanwhile, Nantes sent third-placed Caen to their fourth defeat of the season with a 2-0 win in Normandy.

Source: AFP