Rodelin the hero for Lille

Ronnie Rodelin scored early in the second half to propel 10-man Lille into second place with a 1-0 win over Valenciennes.

Ronnie Rodelin scored early in the second half to propel 10-man Lille into second place in Ligue 1 with a 1-0 win over struggling Valenciennes. The striker, who came on as a substitute for Salomon Kalou at the start of the second period, netted in his first minute of being on the pitch to lift his side to within touching distance of leaders Paris St Germain. The result left Rene Girard's side just one point behind PSG, who play Lyon at the Parc des Princes on Sunday night. Lille claimed the points despite being reduced to 10 men when Franck Beria was dismissed in the 52nd minute for his second bookable offence. The visitors dominated the first half against a Valenciennes side who drew their last two games 1-1 against Lyon and Montpellier, with Florent Balmont going close in the third minute before Nolan Roux shot inches wide. Roux then set up Soualiho Meiti, whose shot skimmed the post just before the half-hour mark. The visitors were rewarded for their superiority early in the second half when Rodelin, who had just come onto the pitch, was at the far post to meet Pape N'Diaye Souare's cross from the left, volleying home to give Lille the lead. LOSC were soon reduced to 10 men, though, when Beria was given his marching orders for a second yellow card earned from a nasty looking tackle on Gary Kagelmacher. The dismissal prompted a couple of chances for Valenciennes, with Jean-Christophe Bahebeck's free-kick testing the Lille defence and Jean Christophe Bahebeck forcing a save from visiting goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. Despite the home side's best efforts, Lille held firm to secure their 13th clean sheet in the league this season and move closer to the top of the table.