High-flying Valenciennes have been held to a 1-1 draw by bottom club Nancy away from home in Ligue 1.

The hosts started the game the brighter of the two sides and created their first real chance in the eighth minute when Djamel Bakar shot just wide from outside the box.

Vincent Aboubakar came close for Valenciennes midway through the first half with a header from a Gael Danic cross, but failed to keep it on target.

Benjamin Moukandjo tried his luck from distance for Nancy in the 27th minute, but again failed to test Nicolas Penneteau.

However, Penneteau could not do anything four minutes later when Jordan Loties found the target by turning in Yohan Mollo's delivery.

Valenciennes had a good chance to equalise in the opening minute of the second half when Gregory Pujol tried his luck from inside the area, only to see his shot go wide.

Djamel Bakar and Lossemy Karaboue had chances for Nancy in the subsequent minutes, before Pujol hit the post with a left-footed shot from outside the box for the visitors.

Valenciennes eventually made it 1-1, and the goal came in the 73rd minute when Nancy's Massadio Haidara put the ball into his own net.