Second-half goals from Francois Kamano and Ryad Boudebouz saw Bastia to a 2-0 home win over a 10-man Metz side in Ligue 1 this evening.
Juan Falcon sought to test the Bastia keeper early on with an effort from range, but Alphonse Areola was not to be moved as he saved comfortably in the centre of goal.
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Bastia's Giovanni Sio was wasteful not too long after when he headed wide unchallenged from Gael Danic's cross, and squandered another good chance following some neat passing from Yannick Cahuzac.
Sebastien Squillaci thought that he had made up for his side's profligacy just before half time, only to see his shot from the centre of the box crash back off the left post.
Any hope of Metz grabbing three points from the fixture took a major dent after half time as Guido Milan was sent off for a second yellow after bringing down Floyd Ayite.
Despite being unable to muster much in front of goal, Bastia got themselves in front thanks to a worthy strike from Kamano, who rifled home from outside of the box in the 65th minute.
With Metz looking tired in the closing stages of the game, Sylvain Marchal brought down Ayite in the area, allowing Boudebouz to step up and secure all three points with a second goal from the spot.
Christopher Dodd
