Calais numbed by last-gasp Nantes

Frédéric Da Rocha struck with just two minutes remaining as Calais Racing Union FC's French Cup campaign again ended in heartbreak at the hands of FC Nantes Atlantique. Elsewhere, Stade Rennais FC left it even later against Montpellier HSC, eventually booking their place in the last four with a 5-3 extra-time triumph.

Schille save
In a repeat of 1999/00 final, Nantes met fourth-tier Calais at RC Lens' Stade Félix-Bollaert, and unsurprisingly took the game to their amateur opponents early on. Mauro Cetto quickly forced a save from goalkeeper Cédric Schille, one of five survivors from the squad six years ago, but they were unable to make their pressure count and Calais gradually gained a foothold. They nearly took a shock lead just after the half-hour mark when Mickaël Landreau flapped at a corner and only Emerse Faé's goalline clearance denied Mathieu Hoguet.

Lafourcade hat-trick
Nantes stepped up a gear after the interval, with strikers Mamadou Diallo and Habib Bamogo both lively up front, but it was a midfielder that eventually found a breakthrough as Da Rocha volleyed in Dennis Oliech's cross with just two minutes remaining. It was a cruel end for Calais, and Ligue 2 outfit Montpellier will feel similarly disappointed after Jérome Lafourcade's hat-trick proved meaningless in an enthralling 5-3 defeat by Rennes.

Thrilling finale
Jimmy Briand gave the home team a dream start with a goal inside 60 seconds, but Lafourcade soon made it 1-1 and that is how the scores remained after 90 minutes. Two goals from Olivier Monterrubio handed Rennes a sizeable advantage early on in extra time and although Lafourcade reduced the deficit, John Utaka made it 4-2 a minute later. Kim Källström then sealed victory after the turnaround but it was Lafourcade that had the last word, completing his hat-trick with the sixth goal in an enthralling 14-minute spell.