French Ligue 1: Reims triumph over Bastia

David Ngog and Benjamin Moukandjo scored to give Reims victory over Bastia in Ligue 1.

A mixed week for the Corsican visitors duly ended on a low note, sliding back into the relegation zone. Their reply in a 2-1 defeat came from Francois Modesto.

Before this match an eventful few days had seen caretaker manager Ghislain Printant handed the job permanently and striker Brandao given a jail sentence for headbutting Paris St Germain midfielder Thiago Motta.

It remains to be seen whether Brazilian striker Brandao, serving a six-month ban from football, will serve time behind bars or do community service.

By the 10th minute at Reims, Bastia were behind.

A long throw-in taken by Gaetan Charbonnier found former Liverpool striker Ngog who beat defender Romaric and fired a powerful shot beyond Alphonse Areola.

Reims goalkeeper Johnny Placide had to be sharp to keep out a shot from Hervin Ongenda and then a curling corner kick from Romaric which threatened to find the net directly.

But Placide was beaten in the 40th minute when Ongenda's corner was headed on by Charbonnier, who almost put the ball into his own net, before Modesto nodded in from close range.

Charbonnier went close to restoring Reims' lead early in the second half when Ngog chested a long cross from Aissa Mandi on to his fellow striker. Charbonnier controlled and struck a left-footed shot that Areola saved well.

At the other end, Ongenda was denied by Placide after breaking through to the Reims penalty area.

The match-winning goal came in the 85th minute when Odair Fortes released Moukandjo and he took on and beat Julian Palmieri before cracking a right-footed shot past Areola.

Reims almost had a third goal in stoppage time, when Moukandjo released Prince Oniangue whose firm shot from 25 yards hit the post.