Metz were denied a crucial victory in their bid to avoid relegation from Ligue 1 after Wahbi Khazri's strike gave Bordeaux a 1-1 draw at the Stade Jacques Chaban-Delmas.

Metz took the lead midway through the opening period as Florent Malouda's cross found Ferjani Sassi six yards out, and the defender slid the ball into the bottom corner of Cedric Carrasso's net.

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Bordeaux were unable to fashion a shot on target in the first half, but did go close when Cedric Yambere headed over from a set piece on 32 minutes.

Just before the hour mark, the hosts almost got back on level terms when Enzo Crivelli headed narrowly wide from Khazri's corner.

Within moments, the substitute was again threatening the Metz goal as he steered Diego Rolan's cross wide of Anthony Mfa Mezui's right-hand post.

Malouda almost added a second for Metz late on when the ex-Chelsea winger missed the target from a difficult angle.

However, Bordeaux's blushes were spared with seven minutes remaining when Khazri's free kick found the bottom corner.

Written by
Chris O'Keefe