Guingamp struggling for goals

Goal-shy Guingamp played out a goalless Ligue 1 stalemate with a below-par St Etienne on Saturday night.

Goal-shy Guingamp played out a goalless Ligue 1 stalemate with a below-par St Etienne on Saturday night. Fourth-placed St Etienne came into the contest on the back of three straight league wins but were unable to break down a Guingamp side who are always tough opponents on home soil. Although a point against one of the league's form sides will be welcomed, the hosts will be worried at drawing yet another blank in front of goal - their fourth in the last five Ligue 1 outings. St Etienne shaded a cagey first half, first threatening after 11 minutes when Fabien Lemoine released Max Gradel who beat two men before drilling a shot against Guy N'dy Assembe. The visitors went close again on 28 minutes, Benjamin Corgnet finding Mevlut Erding who turned his man before firing just wide from 20 yards. And Gradel was again threatening in the 32nd minute, N'dy Assembe again to the rescue to keep out his first-time drive. Guingamp moved up a gear in the second half and carved out an early chance when Steeven Langil fired in an effort from the left that Stephane Ruffier was able to gather. With 55 minutes on the clock Langil worked space again, this time crashing in an effort from the edge of the box that Ruffier was equal to once more. Ruffier was called on to deny Claudio Beauvue just before the hour, while Gradel had St Etienne's final chance with a shot from distance that never looked like troubling N'dy Assembe.