Abdoulrazak Boukari scored the only goal midway through the first half as Frederic Antonetti's young side secured their fifth successive win.

The result takes them three points clear at the top, although they could be overtaken tomorrow by Lille, who face a difficult trip to title rivals Marseille.

Kamel Chafni's stunning late goal earned Auxerre a shock 1-0 win over Paris St Germain which lifts them three points clear of the relegation zone.

PSG had the better chances but were frustrated by an excellent display from home keeper Olivier Sorin, while the post denied Peguy Luyindula early in the second half - and Auxerre took advantage through Chafni's glorious looping volley to seal the points.

Sochaux moved up to eighth with a 1-0 victory at Toulouse.

Modibo Maiga scored the winner in the 64th minute to inflict a fourth straight defeat on Toulouse, who ended a disappointing night on a sour note with goalkeeper Mathieu Valverde sent off in the 90th minute.

Youssef Al Arabi scored in stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 victory for Caen and subject St Etienne to their fourth successive defeat in Ligue 1.

The visitors looked to have done enough to end their recent run of poor form, but El Arabi poked the ball home in the dying seconds to atone for hitting the woodwork earlier in the match.

Rival goalkeepers David Ospina and Vedran Runje excelled as Nice and Lens played out a goalless but by no means uneventful draw at the Stade du Ray.

Ospina's double save from Toifilou Maoulida and Yohan Demont was the highlight of the game, while visiting counterpart Runje superbly kept out Julien Sable's free-kick shortly before half-time.

Lorient goalkeeper Fabien Audard also produced a string of outstanding saves to deny Nancy a much-needed win in their fight against relegation.

Nancy, looking for just a second win of 2011, created the lion's share of the chances but could not make one of them count.

Sebastien Puygrenier clattered the crossbar with the best chance of a tepid stalemate between Valenciennes and relegation-threatened Monaco at Nungesser.