Sochaux remain in trouble

Sochaux's great run of form continued with a 2-1 victory at Rennes - but they remain in the relegation zone.

Sochaux's great run of form continued with a 2-1 victory at Rennes but they remain in the Ligue 1 relegation zone with one more match to go. Herve Renard's men took the lead in the 34th minute through Jordan Ayew and after Paul-Georges N'Tep equalised in the 73rd, fellow substitute Emmanuel Mayuka restored the advantage five minutes later. Sochaux are now unbeaten in seven games, have won four of their last five and are up to 40 points. They were unable to move from 18th place, though, due to other results, which included a win for 17th-placed Evian. The two sides play each other at Sochaux on the final day of the season and there is a point between them. Sochaux had the first real attempt on goal in the eighth minute when the ball came to Ayew's feet following a corner but he somehow put it wide of the post. There was a further sign of intent from the away side in the 13th when Roy Contout attempted a bicycle kick that did not quite work out. The breakthrough was then made as Ayew took on Julien Faussurier's through-ball, controlling on his chest before firing an unstoppable shot that cannoned in off the underside of the bar. Stoppila Sunzu looked to make it 2-0 with a header just before the break but it did not have the power or accuracy to beat goalkeeper Benoit Costil. The second half began with Kamil Grosicki calling Yohann Pele into action with a low strike that Sochaux goalkeeper pushed aside. The visitors went back on the attack and Contout met a cross from the left with a powerful volley that Costil has to stay strong to keep out. Further Sochaux attempts followed, with Sebastien Corchia receiving a pass from Sebastien Roudet but managing to screw his shot wide from just 12 yards out. Rennes then levelled the contest as N'Tep connected with Steven Moreira's cross. While the ball in was well-placed, Pele completely missed his punch. But the away side's recovery from that blow was swift, with Mayuka scoring with almost his first touch. He found himself free at the far post and converted Roudet's cross with the goal gaping.