Lisandro Lopez and Miralem Pjanic scored the goals which extended Les Gones' unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions.

The win moved Lyon a point behind joint leaders Lille and Rennes, although the former play their game in hand tomorrow against Valenciennes.

A controversial penalty set St Etienne on their way to a 2-0 victory at home to Brest.

Bakary Sako converted the 35th-minute spot-kick, but Brest had reason to feel aggrieved as replays suggested Alejandro Alonso dived to win it.

Their anger boiled over, with coach Alex Dupont getting sent to the stands before Dimitri Payet sealed the win late on.

Federico Santander scored the only goal of the game as Toulouse ended their four-game losing run at relegation-threatened Lens.

Santander struck with 15 minutes remaining when he headed home a Fode Mansare cross, leaving Lens winless in their past seven league encounters and second bottom in the table, four points adrift of safety.

Elsewhere, Eric Mouloungui scored the winner to earn Nice victory over fellow strugglers Auxerre and move them seven points clear of the drop zone.

Mouloungui volleyed home Anthony Mounier's cross just after the hour mark to leave the visitors, Champions League participants earlier this season, three points above the bottom three.

Goals from defender Landry N'Guemo and substitute Bakaye Traore earned Nancy a useful three points against Caen in the congested relegation battle.

N'Guemo gave Nancy a half-time advantage and, after Caen's Sambou Yatabare was sent off, Traore's clincher lifted them six points clear of the bottom three.

A late goal from Remy Cabella rescued a well-deserved point for basement side Arles in an entertaining clash with Lorient.

Having trailed to Camel Meriem's opener, the visitors hit back with strikes from Morgan Amalfitano, Sigamary Diarra and Kevin Gameiro to lead 3-1.

But Arles belied their league position as Yann Kermorgant reduced the deficit before Cabella equalised 10 minutes from time.