Late heartache for St Etienne

St Etienne remain on the brink of the drop zone after a last-minute penalty from Eduardo condemned them to a 1-0 loss at Lens

The visitors had been looking good for a second point in as many games under new coach Christophe Galtier, but Blaise Matuidi brought down Tofilou Maoulida in the final minute and the Brazilian substitute made sure from the penalty spot.

The result leaves St Etienne just one point above the drop zone, while Lens have given themselves a cushion, moving up to 13th.

It was no more than the hosts deserved after they enjoyed the lion's share of the possession throughout the game.

St Etienne goalkeeper Jeremie Janot was a busy man, starting in the eighth minute when he made a brilliant save to keep out Alaedinne Yahia's header and then also deny Maoulida's rebound.

Yahia got another bite of the cherry, but put the shot wide.

Moments later, Boukari's header brought a fingertip save from Janot before the goalkeeper got to watch Moussa Sow's shot sail over.

Janot continued to star as he denied Maoulida one-on-one with his feet.

St Etienne's first chance did not come until the 37th minute, but Gelson Fernandes' fine effort from range was kept out by Vedran Runje.

The visitors started the second half more brightly, but Lens still got the chances, with Janot holding a header from Kanga Akale before Adil Hermach headed over.

St Etienne's Mouhamadou Dabo was lucky to get away with a nasty tackle on Abdoulrazak Boukari in the 70th minute, which forced the Lens player off.

But moments later St Etienne almost scored as Gonzalo Bergessio broke through the defence to cross for Cedric Varrault, but his diving header went just over.

Janot looked like he had denied Lens the win with one more save five minutes from time, keeping out Eric Chelle's header before Akale sent the rebound over.

But Matuidi's foul gave Lens the chance they needed for the win.