Laurent Blanc's side dominated the first half at the Stade du Moustoir but could not find a way past Lorient goalkeeper Lionel Cappone, and were made to pay when Gameiro notched the game's only goal 12 minutes after the interval.

The result moved Christian Gourcuff's side to within four points of sixth-placed Bordeaux.

Montpellier slipped to fourth on the back of their fourth successive draw. The promoted club now trail leaders Marseille by eight points having played a game more.

Lille climbed to third, provisionally at least, and pushed Le Mans closer to Ligue 2 with a 2-1 win at the Stade Leon-Bollee.

Modibo Maiga had given the relegation-threatened hosts hope in the 54th minute by cancelling out Tulio de Melo's first-half opener, but Yohan Cabaye's late penalty secured victory for Les Dogues.

The result left Le Mans eight points behind fourth-bottom St Etienne with four games remaining, and Les Verts could stretch that gap if they win at Marseille tomorrow.

Second-bottom Boulogne belied their likely relegation status as they cruised to a 3-0 victory at Sochaux as the hosts went down to their eighth home defeat of the season in Ligue 1.

Gregory Thil, Mustapha Yatabare and Jeremy Blayac all scored as Laurent Guyot's side picked up only their third away win of the season, while Sochaux's misery was compounded by the dismissal of Jacques Faty with a quarter of an hour remaining.

Boulogne remain nine points from safety with four games left despite the win.

Nice, on the other hand, all but guaranteed Ligue 1 survival by coming from behind to beat already-relegated Grenoble 2-1.

Nassim Akrour put the visitors ahead, but Eric Mouloungui levelled before half-time and Emerse Fae completed the turnaround 13 minutes from time.

The win moved Nice 12 points clear of the drop zone with four games to play.

Rennes remained seventh following their 1-1 draw at Paris St Germain in the late kick-off.

Jerome Leroy put the away team ahead after 33 minutes only for Guillaume Hoarau to nick a point for the mid-table capital club midway through the second half.