Eric Bautheac hit a late winner to help Nice to a 2-1 victory over Nancy in an equally-matched Ligue 1 clash this evening.
The hosts snatched a lead from a 21st-minute corner, with Mahamane Traore finding the back of the net after the ball fell invitingly for him.
Nancy almost drew level just after the half-hour mark when Djamel Bakar's vicious strike came crashing back off the post, but they pulled it back to 1-1 before half-time.
Yohan Mollo swung the ball back into the box after the home defence failed to deal with a corner, and Salif Sane headed in from close range.
It was end-to-end action in the second half with both sides seeing plenty of attacking possession, but it was Nice who dug deepest, clinching a winner through the boot of Bautheac eight minutes from time.
Mark Langshaw
