Beauvue spot on as Lyon go second

Claudio Beauvue converted a 78th-minute penalty as Hubert Fournier's side, who face a critical Champions League group stage clash at home to Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday, finally capitalised on Corentin Jean's first-half dismissal.

Lyon have taken 10 points from their past four matches but last season's runners-up are still 10 points behind runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain, who beat Rennes 1-0 on Friday thanks to Angel di Maria's second-half strike.

It was a largely frustrating evening at the Stade de l'Aube for Lyon who rarely tested home goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni despite countless efforts on goal.

Bernardoni did make a sharp one-handed stop to push away Corentin Tolisso's deflected strike just before Jean was sent off for a heavy challenge on Sergi Darder 10 minutes before half-time.

Jordan Ferri and Alexandre Lazacatte went close either side of the break but Lyon struggled to break down a gritty Troyes outfit still searching for a first victory this term.

However, the visitors were awarded a penalty, despite strong protests from Troyes players, with 11 minutes remaining when Chris Mavinga brought down Lacazette in the box.

Beauvue calmly sent Bernardoni the wrong way from the spot for his fourth goal of the season to send Lyon second, level on points with Angers, who visit Monaco on Sunday, and Saint-Etienne.

Earlier, Christophe Galtier's men brushed aside a slumping Reims side 3-0 with second-half goals from Robert Beric and Valentin Eysseric plus an own-goal from Prince Oniangue.

Gazelec Ajaccio strung together a second straight win as Mohamed Larbi struck twice to help the islanders beat Bordeaux 2-0, pulling level with 17th-placed Montpellier, who drew 1-1 at fellow strugglers Toulouse. 

Benjamin Moukandjo struck deep into stoppage time to rescue a point for Lorient in a bad-tempered 2-2 draw at Brittany rivals Guingamp.

Jimmy Briand had given Guingamp a first-minute lead before both sides were reduced to 10 men before the interval with Majeed Waris dismissed for Lorient and Younousse Sankhare following the Ghanaian down the tunnel shortly after.

Moukandjo converted a penalty to make it 1-1 just past the hour but Yannis Salibur restored Guingamp's lead six minutes from time before Moukandjo struck his second of the contest.

Sadio Diallo's first-half goal guided Bastia to a 1-0 victory over Caen as the Normandy club dropped two places to fifth.