Les Gones had been beaten 4-1 by their opponents earlier in the season, but gained revenge thanks to a Lisandro Lopez strike and an own goal from Onyekachi Apam.

The win ensures Lyon remain unbeaten in the league in 2010 as they closed the gap on leaders Bordeaux to just two points.

Elsewhere, Johan Audel's stunning volley earned Valenciennes a deserved victory at Stade Nungesser.

The hosts had the better of the match throughout but were thwarted by a series of fine blocks from St Etienne keeper Jeremie Janot.

It needed something special to beat the 32-year-old and Audel duly provided that 13 minutes from time to keep his side eighth in the table.

Lorient piled further misery on slumping Sochaux with Sigamary Diarra's header enough to claim all three points.

Nancy missed the chance to pull further clear of the relegation zone as they suffered a 2-0 home defeat to bottom side Grenoble.

Nancy coach Pablo Correa was not in the dug-out for the game because of suspension as his side went down to two goals from Yoric Ravet.

Joris Marveaux scored twice as Montpellier triumphed in a match which ended in bad-tempered fashion.

Marveaux set the hosts on their way but Jimmy Briand's goal gave Rennes hope - which evaporated with Souleymane Camara's clincher and Kader Mangane's injury-time red card.

And there was more to follow after the final whistle, when Asamoah Gyan was red-carded for foul and abusive language towards referee Olivier Thual.

A second-half goal by Kevin Dupuis guided Toulouse to their seventh home win of the season over a Lens side whose poor away form continued.

And Moussa Maazou's goal was enough to earn Monaco all three points after they withstood a second-half onslaught from relegation-threatened Boulogne.