Ajaccio pick up elusive victory

Ajaccio made it three games undefeated as they claimed their first league win since September with a 3-1 victory over Rennes.

Struggling Ajaccio made it three games undefeated as they claimed their first league win since September with a 3-1 victory over Rennes. The bottom-of-the-table side remain nine points from safety but strikes from Ricardo Faty and Johan Cavalli, plus a goal of the season contender from Benjamin Andre, increased their hopes of an unlikely escape from the drop. Abdoulaye Doucoure responded for the visitors who were searching for back-to-back wins for the first time this season after last week's impressive 2-0 win over Lyon. Rennes had the first chance of the night as Paul George Ntep broke free of the hosts' defence to latch onto a neat Ola Toivonen pass but could only fire straight at Guillermo Ochoa from a decent position. Ajaccio took the lead in the 18th minute when Cavalli swung in a free-kick from the right touchline and Faty glanced a header beyond Benoit Costil. But the visitors equalised just after the half hour mark as the impressive Ntep delivered a teasing cross from the left of the penalty area and, after Cedric Hountondji saw his initial shot saved by Ochoa, Doucoure was left with a simple close-range finish. Parity was to last just three minutes though, with Andre producing something special to restore the lead. The midfielder was the recipient of a hopeful ball from Paul Lasne and he hit an unstoppable half-volley from a tight angle on the left which flew over Costil into the opposite far corner. Ten minutes after the break the hosts had a chance to extend their lead through Gadji Tallo who missed a glorious chance as he benefited from a mix-up in defence between Sylvain Armand and Houtondji but could only fire over the bar. The strugglers were well on top now and Andre nearly had his second but could not quite connect with Medhi Mostefa's delivery. The third goal looked like an inevitability and it eventually came with 13 minutes remaining as Cavalli beat Costil with a fine left-footed finish for his first goal of the season to wrap up the points.