Ligue 2 BKT: Le Mans surge, Reims on the podium as Troyes stumble

Le Mans make it 15 unbeaten to reach fourth

Le Mans closed out the round on Monday night with a narrow but valuable 1-0 victory over Dunkerque, a result that lifts the Sarthois into fourth place and extends their unbeaten league run to 15 matches.

After a first half low on clear chances, the breakthrough came shortly after the restart. Lucas Calodat’s cross from the left was met by Erwan Colas, whose header in the 49th minute proved decisive. Le Mans now sit on 35 points, six behind leaders Troyes and level with Reims, trailing only on goal difference.

For Dunkerque, defeat represents a setback in the promotion chase, with the Maritimes dropping to sixth place on 33 points.

Troyes punished at Guingamp

At the top of the table, Troyes missed the opportunity to extend their lead after falling to a 1-0 defeat away at Guingamp. The league leaders resisted sustained pressure for over an hour before Amadou Samoura struck in the 68th minute to secure victory for the Bretons.

Despite the loss, Troyes remain top on 41 points, while Guingamp move up to seventh, just one point outside the top five.

Reims edge Saint-Étienne to claim podium spot

In one of the weekend’s key clashes, Reims defeated Saint-Étienne 1-0 to leapfrog their opponents and climb onto the podium.

Reduced to ten men after Martial Tia’s dismissal in the 55th minute, Reims nevertheless capitalised on a defensive error to snatch victory. Hafiz Ibrahim scored the only goal of the match in the 70th minute, taking Reims to 35 points, one behind second-placed Red Star and one ahead of Saint-Étienne.

Red Star held despite late fightback

Second-placed Red Star were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Boulogne-sur-Mer, missing the chance to close the gap on Troyes.

The hosts opened the scoring through Damien Durand’s penalty but were reduced to ten men before half-time following Kévin Cabral’s red card. Boulogne took advantage after the break with goals from Julien Boyer and Vincent Burlet, before Pape Meissa Ba rescued a point late on. Red Star remain second on 36 points.

Pau frustrated, Montpellier and Annecy progress

Friday night’s opener saw Pau surrender a two-goal lead late on, drawing 2-2 with Grenoble after goals from Evans Maurin and Lucas Bernadou in the closing stages. Pau slip to 10th, while Grenoble remain 13th.

Elsewhere, Montpellier won 2-0 away at bottom side Bastia, while Annecy edged Clermont 2-1, both sides keeping faint hopes of joining the promotion battle. Rodez continued their strong run with a 3-1 victory at Nancy, and Amiens drew 0-0 with Laval in a key match at the lower end of the table.

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