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Determined Istres deny Lyon

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Olympique Lyonnais were held by lowly FC Istres, while Paris Saint-Germain FC earned a much-needed win.

By Chris Burke

Champions and Ligue 1 leaders Olympique Lyonnais were held to a goalless draw at bottom side FC Istres as the side belied their lowly position with a battling display, while Paris Saint-Germain FC earned a much-needed win.

Familiar faces
With second-placed LOSC Lille Métropole not in action until tomorrow, Lyon had the chance to open up a three-point gap at the top of the league but could not defeat their lively hosts. Former Lyon players Florian Maurice and Laurent Courtois both hit the woodwork for Istres before Ibrahim Thiam's dismissal on 76 minutes changed the complexion of the game. Paul Le Guen then brought on Florent Malouda, Nilmar and Hatem Ben Arfa, but could not make the breakthrough and Istres earned only their second home point of the season.

Letizi heroics
PSG carried on where they left off against FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday with a morale-boosting 1-0 win against AC Ajaccio. Fabrice Pancrate's tenth-minute header was the difference between the two teams, but the capital club had goalkeeper Lionel Letizi to thank as his superb last minute save helped the Parisian side move up to 13th.

Fourth draw
FC Girondins de Bordeaux also were also grateful for inspired goalkeeping after struggling to a goalless draw against AS Saint-Etienne. Ulrich Ramé made a series of fine saves as Bordeaux, who could have gone fourth with a win, were held to their fourth consecutive draw and remained sixth.

Strasbourg win
St Etienne remained 17th, a point ahead of RC Strasbourg, who earned their first win of the season with a 3-1 win against OGC Nice. The Alsace outfit led for much of the game after Yves Deroff's 37th-minute opener, before Florent Balmont equalised with eleven minutes remaining. But Jacky Duguépéroux's side were in determined mood and Mickaël Pagis and Salim Arrache scored late goals to claim the win.

Comeback victories
Elsewhere, there were comeback wins for Stade Rennais FC and SM Caen against FC Metz and FC Nantes Atlantique respectively. Tomorrow, Lille can go top if they beat Toulouse FC away, third plays fourth when AJ Auxerre travel to AS Monaco FC, SC Bastia face FC Sochaux-Montbéliard and RC Lens welcome fifth-placed Olympique de Marseille.

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