Ligue 1: Ahmed Kantari earns Lens a point against Bastia with late penalty

Ahmed Kantari scored an 80th-minute penalty to earn Lens a 1-1 draw against in-form Bastia.

Replying to Ryad Boudebouz's 62nd-minute spot-kick, Kantari was on the mark to ensure that Bastia remain in the Ligue 1 relegation scrap.

They are unbeaten in 10 as a result of this, but had they won they would have been six points clear of second-bottom Lens.

Lens gave as good as they got and, on balance, would have a greater argument for deserving all three points.

The first chance was theirs, Pablo Chavarria freeing Pierrick Valdivia, who took aim from 30 yards, only to be denied by Alphonse Areola.

Adamo Coulibaly was the next man to get space to shoot but his effort cleared the bar.

Boudebouz had Bastia's first opportunity, combining with Gilles Cioni before spooning over from 20 yards.

Lens ended the half the stronger, though, with Coulibaly heading over from a Dimitri Cavare cross.

Their pressure continued beyond the break but they were stung when Bastia were given a 62nd-minute penalty.

Cavare was the guilty party, bringing down Julian Palmieri, and Boudebouz did the rest, rolling his kick down the middle with Riou having committed early.

Lens manager Antoine Kombouare was sent off for protesting, but he was able to celebrate from the stands as his men rescued a point.

He may also have felt slightly sheepish as Sebastien Squillaci was deemed to have tripped Chavarria, but the replays showed zero contact.

That did not stop Kantari converting his penalty though, despite Areola getting a touch.