Troyes bounced back from last week's 6-0 obliteration by Marseille to earn a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Montpellier HSC at Stade de l'Aube tonight.
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Having conceded nine times in their first three games, Troyes' defence was firmly under the spotlight, but the newly-promoted Ligue 1 outfit managed to restrict the 2012 champions to long-range efforts for much of the first half.
Souleymane Camara and Kevin Berigaud both tried their luck from distance but neither effort tested home goalkeeper Denis Petric.
However, there was also little to shout about at the other end as Jean-Marc Furlan's side struggled to fashion the chances needed to secure a half-time lead.
The hosts stepped it up a notch after the break and Lossemy Karaboue went close when his effort was saved on 48 minutes.
Shortly after, Corentin Jean fired just past the post as Troyes applied the pressure in search of their first victory since returning to the top flight.
The visitors could, and should, have scored on 64 minutes when defender Hilton, from 10 yards out, managed to scuff his effort wide as the pair settled for a share of the spoils.
Shane Callaghan
