Ligue 2 BKT: Troyes win thriller, ASSE continue surge, Le Mans miss podium chance

The Ligue 2 BKT promotion race delivered another weekend of twists, late drama and missed opportunities as Matchday 24 reshaped the top of the table. Leaders Troyes returned to winning ways in spectacular fashion, Saint-Étienne continued their resurgence under Philippe Montanier, and Le Mans failed to capitalise on a golden opportunity to climb into the top three after being held at home by Guingamp. With just 14 games remaining, the battle for automatic promotion and the play-off places is tightening — and momentum is beginning to matter as much as points.

Le Mans FC 1-1 En Avant Guingamp

Le Mans missed the chance to climb onto the podium after being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Guingamp on Monday night.

Closing out Matchday 24, the newly promoted side knew victory would send them into third place. Instead, they had to settle for a point — extending their winless run to three matches (two draws, one defeat).

The hosts struck first in the 29th minute. A lightning counter-attack ended with Dame Gueye converting Antoine Rabillard’s perfectly weighted cross to give the Sarthois a deserved lead.

However, Guingamp responded early in the second half. Kalidou Sidibé levelled proceedings in the 52nd minute, and despite late chances at both ends, neither side could find a winner.

Le Mans climb one place to fourth with 40 points, overtaking Red Star FC, but remain just one point behind third-placed Stade de Reims (41 pts). Guingamp, meanwhile, sit 10th on 34 points and are now without a win in four matches.

ESTAC Troyes 4-3 Pau FC

Troyes restored their four-point lead at the summit after edging a seven-goal thriller against Pau.

Having gone a month without a win, the league leaders were under pressure — and it showed early on. Pau raced into a 2-0 lead through Cheikh Fall and Giovani Versini inside 21 minutes.

Troyes hit back just before the break with two quickfire goals: Tawfik Bentayeb converted from the spot before Mathys Detourbet curled home a superb equaliser.

Pau reclaimed the advantage through Joseph Kalulu after the hour mark, but Martin Adeline made it 3-3 in the 77th minute. Then, in the 90th minute, Bentayeb headed home his 12th goal of the season to seal a dramatic 4-3 victory. The result moves Troyes onto 45 points, four clear at the top.

AS Saint-Étienne 2-1 Stade Lavallois

Saint-Étienne capitalised on Reims’ slip to climb into second place.

Under Philippe Montanier, Les Verts are building serious momentum. Early goals from Davitashvili (penalty) and Augustine Boakye secured a 2-1 home win over Laval — their third consecutive victory under the new coach. Saint-Étienne now sit on 43 points, two behind Troyes and two ahead of Reims.

Promotion Race Tightens

Elsewhere, Reims were held to a third consecutive 0-0 draw, this time at home to Amiens, missing the opportunity to keep pace at the top.

Red Star were beaten 2-1 away at Annecy despite dominating possession, while Dunkerque were frustrated in a 1-1 draw against Bastia.

Nancy and Grenoble played out a goalless draw in a match interrupted for 45 minutes due to flares thrown from the stands.

READ MORE: 

>> Ligue 2 BKT: ASSE return to the Podium as Le Mans and Reims stumble

>> All Ligue 2 BKT News