Montpellier have registered a narrow 1-0 victory over Nancy at home in Ligue 1.

Both sides had early chances, with Lossemy Karaboue and Emanuel Herrera drawing out saves from the respective goalkeepers inside the opening five minutes.

Anthony Mounier had a good chance to put the home team in front on 16 minutes, but his header from Henri Bedimo's cross went wide.

Herrera made no such mistake in the 34th minute when he headed home Mounier's cross from just yards out to give Montpellier the lead.

John Utaka could have doubled that advantage before the break but for the save from Damien Gregorini.

Benjamin Moukandjo headed Thomas Mangani's delivery just wide for Nancy seven minutes into the second half, before Paul Alo'o Efoulou had his long-range effort saved.

Mangani too was denied by Geoffrey Jourdren between the Montpellier posts, before Romain Pitau shot wide for the defending French champions.

Nancy saw another opportunity go to waste when Efoulou's header from the centre of the box was kept out by Jourdren.