Bastia on the up

Bastia moved into the top half of Ligue 1 following a 2-0 win at Montpellier, who slipped to their second successive defeat.

Bastia moved into the top half of Ligue 1 following a 2-0 win at Montpellier, who slipped to their second successive defeat. Sambou Yatabare's effort on the stroke of half-time put the Corsican side in the ascendancy, while Wahbi Khazri's 72nd-minute strike helped Bastia seal all three points. It has been a disappointing campaign for Rolland Courbis' Montpellier side, who have secured their top-flight status but may only finish one point above the drop zone if they lose their final fixture at Paris St Germain and Sochaux beat Evian. It was the hosts who started well at the Stade de la Mosson, with an unmarked M'Baye Niang firing wide after being picked out from a free-kick, while at the other end Gianni Bruno's left-footed effort from the edge of the area was well saved by Montpellier goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren. Remy Cabella missed the target from distance in a half of few clear cut chances but just as it appeared the sides would go in level at the break, Yatabare opened the scoring in added on time. The on-loan Olympiacos midfielder latched on to Ryad Boudebouz's cross before firing past Jourdren. Bastia were nearly immediately pegged back on the resumption as Cabella struck narrowly wide from the edge of the box, with goalkeeper Mickael Landreau well beaten. Belgium Under-21 forward Gianni Bruno saw a header well saved by Jourdren, who perhaps should have done better after he was beaten at his near post by Khazri's 72nd-minute effort. Landreau had to be alert to thwart the threatening Cabella to preserve his clean sheet and ensure Bastia claimed an ultimately comfortable victory.