Montpellier HSC have picked up three vital points with a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Sochaux, who were reduced to 10 men in the first half of their match this evening.

The visitors almost broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Morgan Sanson tried his luck from outside the box, only to see his strike come back off the post.

© Getty Images

They wouldn't have to wait long for the opener, however, as Anthony Mounier broke the deadlock just three minutes later with a left-footed strike into the bottom corner.

Things got a lot tougher for the hosts when they were reduced to 10 men just 10 minutes before the break as Nathan Sinkala was shown second yellow card to receive his marching orders.

Montpellier almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half time, but M'Baye Niang's effort from outside the box was well saved.

Remy Cabella tested Pierrick Cros again 10 minutes after the break, but once again the Sochaux keeper came out on top.

The visitors' second goal came in the 74th minute when Souleymane Camara picked out Siaka Tiene, who fired his right-footed shot from outside the area into the bottom left corner to seal all three points for his side.