Ligue 2 BKT: Troyes tighten grip at the top as ASSE slip and Dunkerque impress
ESTAC Troyes strengthened their position at the summit of Ligue 2 on Matchday 18, edging past Red Star (1-0) while Saint-Étienne were held to a goalless draw by Le Mans. Stade de Reims were the other major winners of the weekend, moving up to second place after a comeback victory over Annecy, before Dunkerque capped the round with an impressive away win in Montpellier.
Troyes pull clear in the title race
Leaders Troyes made the most of their clash with fellow promotion contenders Red Star, claiming a narrow but controlled 1-0 victory at the Stade de l’Aube. Tawfik Bentayeb struck just before half-time (43’) — his ninth goal of the season — to settle the contest, as the Troyes defence comfortably kept the Audoniens at bay.
That result allowed ESTAC to open up a six-point gap at the top, with Red Star now level on points with Reims but behind on goal difference.
Saint-Étienne stall, Reims rise
Saint-Étienne missed the chance to keep pace with the leaders, being held to a 0-0 draw away at Le Mans in a high-intensity encounter that lacked only goals. The promoted side once again showed their resilience, while Les Verts were left frustrated, notably through Lucas Stassin, whose confidence in front of goal continues to falter.
With both sides now on 31 points, they drop off the podium — a scenario Reims were quick to exploit.
The Champagne club overturned Annecy 2-1 at home thanks to goals from Bojang and Zabi, climbing into second place and confirming their status as Troyes’ closest challengers at the halfway stage of the season.
Dunkerque shine in Montpellier
Matchday 18 concluded on Monday night with Dunkerque’s commanding 3-1 victory away to Montpellier, a result that further tightened the race for the play-off positions.
The visitors struck early through Gessime Yassine (6’), before captain Vincent Sasso doubled the lead after the break (57’). Thomas Robinet’s eighth goal of the season (68’) effectively sealed the contest, with Alexandre Mendy only able to pull one back late on for the hosts.
Unbeaten in eight league matches, Dunkerque climb to sixth place, just one point behind Le Mans in the final play-off spot. Montpellier, meanwhile, slip to ninth and are losing ground after a strong autumn run.
Elsewhere in Ligue 2
Pau and Rodez shared an entertaining 3-3 draw, leaving Pau seventh, while Nancy earned valuable breathing space with a 2-1 win at Amiens. Guingamp returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion, sweeping aside Boulogne-sur-Mer 3-0 at the Roudourou.
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>> Ligue 2 BKT: Troyes pull clear at the top before Christmas break
