Mathieu Bodmar struck in the second minute to give the reigning champions an early advantage before Fabrice Pancrate grabbed a surprise equaliser five minutes after the interval.

The visitors looked as though they may hold on for a valuable point before Bodmar finally found a way through their defence in the 76th minute.

Injury-time goals from Karim Benzema and Sidney Govou added further gloss to the scoreline for the hosts who maintained their lead over second-placed Bordeaux after they beat bottom-of-the-table Metz 3-0.

Les Girondins lost 1-0 to Lorient in their previous league outing, however Fernando Cavenaghi struck either side of the break to ensure they bounced back to winning ways before Alou Diarra found the net two minutes before the end.

Strasbourg celebrated Jean-Marc Furlan's 100th Ligue 1 game as a manager in style with an emphatic 3-0 victory over nine-man St Etienne.

Les Verts were the victims of their own indiscipline with Renaud Cohade converting from the spot after Tavlaridis Estathios brought down Jacob Mulenga.

Yohan Benalouane's sending off 10 minutes from time, for a rash two-footed challenge on Fanchone, sparked a forgettable end to the game for the visitors as Alvaro Santos and Mulenga netted either side of Freddy Guarin's dismissal for a second bookable offence.

Dennis Oliech pounced in the last minute to steal a vital 2-1 win in Auxerre's battle to avoid relegation.

The dangerous Oliech caught Rennes napping in first-half injury-time and again in the 90th minute, to cancel out Mickael Pagis' 46th-minute equaliser.

Valenciennes moved to within two points of fourth-placed Nice as goals from Steve Savidan, Sebastien Roudet and substitute Felip Sebo ensured a 3-0 win over Lorient.

Third-placed Nancy left it late to claim all the points against Toulouse after Sebastien Puygrenier struck in injury time, while an inspired performance from Le Mans goalkeeper Yohann Pele ensured his side claimed a goalless draw at Paris St Germain.

Monaco's home match with Lille also remained deadlocked as the visitors moved a point clear of the relegation zone.