Marseillaise rings out in Corsica, Caen slip up

Despite threats by Corsican nationalists to boo the French national anthem, 'La Marseillaise' was played at the Armand Cesari Stadium in Bastia in tribute to the victims of the Paris terror attacks.

Only one solitary whistle could be heard in the stands during the rendition, before the Corsican chant "Diu vi salvi Regina" was sung and followed by the release of 130 white balloons, as well as a blue one for a club official who died the day before the attacks.

"The silence as the players walked out gave me the chills," said Gazelec coach Thierry Laurey.

"I would say that the best response has been given," added Bastia coach Ghislain Printant.

In a match which had been postponed from Saturday because of strong winds on the Mediterranean island, Brandao opened the scoring for the hosts after five minutes following good work by midfielder Julian Palmieri.

But 14 minutes later Cameroon international striker Jacques Zoua got the visitors on level terms, slotting home a penalty awarded when Bastia goalkeeper Jean-Louis Leca fouled Khalid Boutaib in the box.

Boutaib missed a golden chance to put the visitors ahead with half an hour to go but, alone in front of goal, it was Leca who won the duel.

Ten minutes later, however, Boutaib scored with a deflected volley from a David Ducourtioux assist.

The win, their fourth in a row, lifts Gazelec out of the relegation zone and up to 16th with neighbours Bastia taking their place in the bottom three.

In Normandy, Julien Feret struck the bar for Caen before the hosts were reduced to 10 men after half an hour when Alaeddine Yahia was given a straight red card for a dangerous tackle.

They then held on for a draw, although Thomas Mangani hit the bar for Angers in the second half.

A win would have seen Caen move up to second behind Paris Saint-Germain, who stretched their lead to 13 points on Saturday with a 2-1 win at Lorient.

"It's a good point given the game," said Caen coach Patrice Garande, whose side are behind second-placed Lyon on goal difference.

"Until the sending off we had started well and things were looking good for the match."

- Drama -

Lyon lost 3-0 on Friday at Nice, who are fourth, while Angers are fifth but have gone five games without a win in all competitions.

There was drama in Brittany with Bordeaux goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso saving a last-gasp penalty in a 2-2 draw at Rennes.

Sports Minister Patrick Kanner was among the spectators to demonstrate that sport was returning to normal a week after the Paris attacks.

The sides were level at the break with 18-year-old Ousmane Dembele opening for Rennes after 31 minutes on his first Ligue 1 start before Enzo Crivelli equlised 10 minutes later.

Polish winger Kamil Grosicki came off the bench to put the hosts back ahead 15 minutes from time only for Diego Contento to equalise three minutes later.

Rennes were then given the opportunity to win the game deep in injury time when Clement Chantome was penalised for handball but Carrasso kept out the resulting penalty from Giovanni Sio in the 96th minute.

Rennes sit eighth, four places above Bordeaux, with Marseille travelling to Saint-Etienne in Sunday's late game.