France round-up: Lyon miss chance

Olympique Lyonnais missed a chance to gain serious ground on Le Championnat leaders RC Lens when they could only manage a goalless draw at home to SC Bastia on Wednesday.

Stubborn defence
Lyon, who are chasing a first French title, were frustrated by a stubborn Bastia defence and a superb performance from goalkeeper Nicolas Penneteau who saved a Sonny Anderson penalty in the 60th minute.

'A huge disappointment'
The result shaved Lens' lead by only one point, leaving second-placed Lyon seven points behind after 20 games. "It is a huge disappointment," Lyon midfield player Philippe Violeau said. "We should have been more aggressive at the goal, especially faced with a team with such a determined defence. We're seven points behind but we're not giving in. We'll defend our chances until the end."

Europe a possibility
Lille OSC avoided a fifth defeat in six games with a 2-2 draw at home to FC Girondins de Bordeaux but still need to work hard to make sure of a place in Europe next season. Pedro Pauleta put Bordeaux ahead in the 30th minute with a penalty after a foul by LOSC's Mathieu Delpierre. But the northern team battled back with an impressive 71st-minute lob from striker Djazon Boutoille. Pauleta wrestled the game back for Bordeaux in the 77th minute but LOSC equalised two minutes before the end when defender Pascal Cygan headed home a corner.

Equal footing with PSG
AJ Auxerre notched up a 2-2 draw with FC Lorient that left them on an equal footing with Paris Saint-Germain FC behind Lyon, but after only 19 matches. Seventh-placed Montpellier Hérault SC clinched a goal in added time to draw 1-1 at home with AS Monaco FC. Jean Christophe Rouvière scored for Montpellier with in-form striker Shabani Nonda finding the net for the principality team. "I must admit, I touched the ball with my hand when I scored," said Rouvière after Monaco coach Didier Deschamps had accused him of handball.

Virtuoso performance
Patrice Loko capped a virtuoso performance with a goal and an assist as ES Troyes Aube Champagne ran out easy winners against struggling FC Metz at the Aube stadium. Loko, a former French international, continued his impressive debut season for the club and was easily the most dangerous player on the field as Troyes dominated the first half against their eastern rivals. Loko opened the scoring a minute after half-time and turned provider in the 70th minute when he supplied Nicolas Gousse for a welcome goal against his former club.