AS Monaco have continued to move up the Ligue 1 table after a last-gasp strike from Valere Germain earned them a narrow 1-0 victory at Montpellier HSC.

After a slow start at Stade de la Mosson, Monaco soon began to find their rhythm and they almost took the lead through a header from Joao Moutinho, but his effort was kept out by Geoffrey Jourdren.

Moutinho wasted another chance shortly after the half-hour mark before Bernardo Silva fired straight at Jourdren from 10 yards out.

The home side had endured a quiet first 45 minutes but they started to settle late in the half, with Anthony Mounier striking a shot over from long range.

Monaco regained the initiative after the restart and Dimitar Berbatov should have put his side ahead after being found by Layvin Kurzawa, but he could only direct his header wide of the target.

Montpellier's Jamel Saihi and Monaco's Geoffrey Kondogbia both had long-range attempts comfortably saved as the gulf between the two sides narrowed, but Berbatov should have done better when shooting over from 14 yards.

Substitute Souleymane Camara had two chances in quick succession to nick a winner for the home side but after he failed to breach Danijel Subasic's defences, Germain popped up with the winner to snatch the three points away from their hosts.