PSG miss chance to pull level

Paris Saint-Germain conceded an 86th-minute equaliser as they missed the chance to go level on points with Montpellier at the top of Ligue 1.

Montpellier's 2-1 defeat at Lorient on Sunday afternoon opened the door for the capital club, but they could only manage a draw against the league's bottom side in the late kick-off to sit two points off top spot.

Nene put Carlo Ancelotti's side in front midway through the first half, but substitute Anthony Le Tallec levelled late on for Auxerre, who remain adrift at the foot of the table.

Earlier, Montpellier's title hopes suffered a setback as their three-match winning run came to an end at Lorient.

Henri Bedimo's own goal in the 69th minute put the hosts in front and Joel Campbell's goal eight minutes later doubled their advantage.

Olivier Giroud pulled one back for Montpellier a minute later, but they still slipped to defeat.

Lille breathed fresh life back into their fading title hopes with a 4-1 mauling of relegation-threatened Ajaccio, which moved them seven points off the top.

A 16th-minute own goal from Yoann Poulard set Lille on their way, Joe Cole then added a second before the break and late strikes from Gianni Bruno and Eden Hazard, from the penalty spot, sealed the win.

Ajaccio netted an injury-time goal from Frederic Sammaritano, but it was nothing more than a consolation.

St Etienne's hopes of securing European football next season were boosted by a 2-1 home win over struggling Brest.

Although a Champions League spot may be beyond Christophe Galtier's men, a fourth-placed finish and Europa League football is still on the cards.

Max Gradel's penalty and Bakary Sako's winner either side of Issam Jemaa's equaliser proved enough, with Les Verts now three points behind fourth-placed Lyon, who have a game in hand.

Modibo Maiga gave Sochaux's survival hopes a major boost as his second-half goal earned them a 1-0 win over Dijon.

The victory was not enough to take the hosts out of the bottom three, but only goal difference is now keeping them in the drop zone.

Evian won 3-0 at Valenciennes to move nine points clear of the bottom three.

All three of Evian's goals came in a 15-minute purple patch before half-time with Saber Khelifa, Kevin Berigaud and Yannick Sagbo, with a penalty, the men on the scoresheet.

Elsewhere, Benoit Tremoulinas' last-minute penalty salvaged a point for Bordeaux as they came from behind to draw 2-2 against Nancy.

Yoan Gouffran put the Girondins in front in the 17th minute before Bakaye Traore levelled for Nancy just after the break.

Sebastien Puygrenier then gave the home side the lead as Nancy looked to have secured their fifth win in a row before Tremoulinas fired home from the spot to snatch a late point for his side.