Ligue 1: Rennes hold on to beat Nice

Rennes moved fourth in Ligue 1 with a 2-1 win at Nice - but only after a nervous finish to the game.

Goals from Paul-Georges Ntep in the first half and Anders Konradsen early in the second put the visitors in control.

But Dario Cvitanich pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute and Eric Bautheac hit the woodwork twice in the closing stages as Nice sought a probably deserved leveller.

Nice went into the game winless in four league games, with only one goal along the way, since beating Guingamp 7-2 in October.

And they fell behind after only 11 minutes when Mouhamadou Habibou crossed and Ntep headed past goalkeeper Mouez Hassan.

Nice responded and Carlos Eduardo was first denied by Benoit Costil and then, after being set up by Cvitanich, saw an effort blocked by Mexer.

The Mozambique defender marshalled Rennes superbly in the first half, ensuring Nice's dominance of possession came to nothing.

And Rennes doubled their lead four minutes after the restart. Christian Bruls' free-kick picked out the unmarked Konradsen at the far post and he brought the ball under control before firing home.

Habibou was unable to make it 3-0, completely missing his kick when sent clear on goal by Vincent Pajot.

And Nice were given a lifeline when Valentin Eysseric's corner was nodded down by Lloyd Palun and Cvitanich pounced from close range.

Bautheac was desperately unlucky not to equalise when he met another Eysseric delivery with an acrobatic volley, which crashed off the near post with Costil beaten.

And remarkably, the same player was denied by the crossbar a minute from time when he curled a corner directly at goal and deceived Costil.