Metz replace Paris FC in top two after late drama at Dunkerque

Matchday 27 of Ligue 2 BKT action brought plenty of surprises at both ends of the table, notably shaking up the race for promotion to Ligue 1 McDonald's with Paris FC in action against Laval, and Dunkerque facing Metz in a clash between third and fourth which has major consequences for the final eight matches of the season.

Let's start however with Paris FC's loss to Stade Lavallois which saw the capital club drop out of the promotion spots. Stade Francis Le Basser got to witness a superb performance from the hosts who would open the scoring via Malik Tchokounté's rebounded effort after PFC keeper Obed Nkambadio parried into his path (18'). Les Tangos then managed to double their lead just at the beginning of the second half as Laval's other Malik (Sellouki) latched onto a looped ball in the box to deftly volley home past a passive Paris FC defence (52'). After nine matches without a single goal, Tchokounté would then grab his second in a matter of minutes after Laval's second against the co-leaders of the league.

The Frenchman burst through on goal and saw his first attempt saved by PFC's Nkambadio, but he would react quickly to collect the ball and then poke home on the rebound to secure his brace and an important three points for Laval in their path to the play-offs. For Les Parisiens, it meant they would finish the Matchday outside of the promotion spots despite beating leaders Lorient last weekend.

WATCH: LIGUE 2 BKT MATCHDAY 27 HIghlights

This then gave FC Metz amble motivation on their Saturday game against fellow promotion candidates USL Dunkerque. And what a match it was at Stade Marcel Tribut! At the half-hour mark Les Grenats of Metz would break the deadlock through Chiekh Sabaly after Gauthier Hein burst through on goal and put the ball on a plate for the Senegalese striker's 11th goal of the Ligue 2 BKT season (30').

But the Seasiders wouldn't back down there, when Diogo Queirós popped up with a stupendous finish on the half-volley from the edge of the box to level proceedings by the beginning of the second half (53'). But then Metz's dangerman would strike again, this time latching onto Benjamin Stambouli's ball through the middle and slotting the ball beneath Adrián Ortolá to put Les Grenats back into the lead (71').

Dunkerque would then peg back Metz again, this time late into injury time when Yacine Bammou found himself with some space in the box and finished from a tight angle on the swivel (90+3'). Cue the wild celebrations from Dunkerque fans… but it wasn't over yet. During the 10th minute out of 12 added on at the Stade Marcel Tribut, Koffi Kouao made a storming run down the right side and pinged a cross to the far post, met by 21-year-old Morgan Bokele Mputu with a perfectly-timed run and finish to seal all three points for Metz.

A huge win for Metz, which has put Stéphan Le Mignan's men back in the driving seat in the final eight games of the Ligue 2 BKT season.

League leaders Lorient are still leading the way in the promotion race on 53 points, with Metz just behind on 53, and Paris FC just one point behind on 52. 

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>>Ligue 2 BKT Promotion Race: The Main Contenders Battling for a Place in Ligue 1 McDonald's