Marseille were pegged back in their bid to keep champions Lyon in check.
Marseille were pegged back in their bid to keep champions Lyon in check by a 1-1 draw at ten-man Lens.
After Gregory Vignal had been dismissed for the hosts just past the hour mark, L'OM appeared on course for all three points after taking full advantage of their man advantage almost immediately.
Striker Mamadou Niang (pictured) netted the game's opening goal just two minutes after the hosts had been reduced.
The visitors crucially failed to double their lead, however, and were made to pay when Aruna Dindane converted a penalty ten minutes from time for Lens.
Earlier in the evening, the ten-men of high flying Nancy claimed a goalless draw at Le Mans.
In a match with little incident of note, it will be best remembered for the tirade of midfielder Pascal Berenguer which resulted in the midfielder being shown a red card for foul and abusive language.
Click below for an individual match summary:
Le Mans 0-0 Nancy
Lens 1-1 Marseille
