French Ligue 1 report: Reims v Metz ends goalless

Reims failed to return to winning ways as they were held to a goalless draw by Ligue 1 bottom side Metz at Stade Auguste Delaune.

Both sides had the chance to get on the scoresheet but great goalkeeping from Kossi Agassa and Johann Carrasso kept those chances at bay as both teams recorded a clean sheet.

Jean-Luc Vasseur's hosts, who have won just one league game in their last seven, sit five points above the drop zone, while Metz are four points from safety at the bottom.

The hosts could have been celebrating the opener in the first 10 minutes as Benjamin Moukandjo's corner found Nicolas De Preville at the back post, but his right-footed effort was hacked clear off the line by Romain Metanire.

Reims continued to create chances and after 18 minutes they came forward again. Franck Signorini's first-time delivery was too high for Jonathan Fortes but Moukandjo looked threatening before Carrasso turned his first-time effort away with a superb save.

The visitors came close on the half-hour mark as Agassa was called into action in the Reims goal. Bouna Sarr's free-kick was turned towards his own goal by Algeria defender Aissa Mandi but the hosts' keeper managed to push the ball away from under his own crossbar.

Carrasso made two more good saves as the first half wore on. First he pulled off a magnificent save to hold out De Preville's point-blank effort before he claimed Mandi's glancing header from Moukandjo's corner.

The hosts continued to dominate after the break and Mandi was unlucky

as he volleyed wide from the top corner from De Preville's header 12 minutes in.

Midway through the second half, some poor Reims defending gifted Metanire with a great opportunity but some brave keeping from Agassa, who dived at his opponents' feet, prevented the opening goal.

The hosts pressed forward again after 69 minutes as a poor Metz clearance landed at Gregory Bourillon's feet but the substitute's first-time volley from 18 yards grazed the outside of the left post.

Despite being well marked by Mickael Tacalfred, Modibo Maiga managed to get a shot in from a tight angle after 85 minutes but the former West Ham striker's effort was gathered by the impeccable Agassa as the spoils were shared.