French Ligue 1: Caen climb out of drop zone

Caen are out of the Ligue 1 relegation zone following a 1-1 draw against Montpellier.

Hilton put the visitors ahead after 17 minutes but Mathieu Duhamel got the equaliser as Caen's winless run was extended to four games.

Despite that indifferent form, Patrice Garande's men are up to 16th in the table while Montpellier are ninth.

The home side had their first look at goal in the eighth minute as Julien Feret found N'Golo Kante, who exchanged passes with Lenny Nangis before firing in a shot which was saved by Laurent Pionnier.

Remy Vercoutre was forced into a brilliant save when Morgan Sanson found Souleymane Camara outside the box and the Senegalese unleashed a fierce shot, but just moments later Montpellier were ahead.

Sanson supplied the corner from the left and Hilton rose highest to plant a header past Vercoutre.

Duhamel had his first chance three minutes later as he fired wide from inside the box but he would not be denied as half-time approached.

Florian Raspentino advanced down the left and supplied a perfect cross to Duhamel, who saw his header saved but gathered the rebound and slotted home.

Vercoutre was forced into another impressive save in the early stages of the second half when Jonas Martin released Kevin Berigaud in the penalty area and the striker hit a volley which the goalkeeper was equal to.

Caen began to push for a winner and Jean Calve curled a free-kick over the bar before Bengali Koita fired into the side netting in the closing stages.