Ligue 2 BKT: Troyes and Saint-Étienne pull clear as Reims snatch late draw
The Ligue 2 promotion battle took another twist on Matchday 26 as Troyes and Saint-Étienne strengthened their positions at the summit, while Reims salvaged a dramatic point at Dunkerque on Monday night.
At the top of the table, ESTAC Troyes remain leaders with 51 points after coming from behind to defeat Clermont Foot 2-1.
Despite dominating early chances — including a glaring miss from league top scorer Tawfik Bentayeb — the Aubois fell behind shortly after the restart when Kader Bamba opened the scoring for Clermont in the 51st minute.
However, Troyes turned the match around in the closing stages. Kandet Diawara equalised in the 78th minute following a scrambled corner before Martin Adeline headed home three minutes later to secure the victory. The result keeps Troyes two points clear at the top of Ligue 2.
Saint-Étienne continue perfect start under Montanier
AS Saint-Étienne maintained their impressive momentum with a 2-0 victory over Red Star, extending their winning run to five matches since Philippe Montanier took charge.
Red Star — themselves chasing promotion — held firm for over an hour before the breakthrough arrived. Kévin Pedro opened the scoring in the 65th minute, finishing from a Zuriko Davitashvili pass with the help of the post.
Lucas Stassin sealed the result in the 80th minute with a powerful strike from 25 metres that left goalkeeper Gaëtan Poussin rooted to the spot.
The victory moves Saint-Étienne to 49 points, keeping them firmly in the automatic promotion race.
Le Mans revive promotion push
Le Mans moved into third place with a convincing 3-0 victory over Annecy, ending a run of four matches without a win.
The success lifts the Sarthe region side to 44 points, strengthening their hold on the final automatic promotion position heading into the final third of the campaign.
Reims rescue late point at Dunkerque
The final match of the round produced late drama as Stade de Reims snatched a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 1-1 at Dunkerque.
Kick-off at Stade Marcel-Tribut was delayed due to heavy fog, but the hosts began strongly and deservedly took the lead before half-time.
Forward Thomas Robinet scored in the 40th minute, registering his 11th goal of the season after Dunkerque dominated much of the first half.
Reims pushed hard late in the game and eventually found their reward. Keito Nakamura struck in the fifth minute of stoppage time, salvaging a point and denying Dunkerque what would have been a significant victory.
The draw leaves Reims fourth with 43 points, now just one point behind Le Mans, while Dunkerque sit seventh on 39 points.
However, the result also means the Champenois have now drawn their last five matches, losing ground on the two teams leading the division.
Matchday 26: Ligue 2 BKT table
Troyes — 51 pts
Saint-Étienne — 49 pts
Le Mans — 44 pts
Reims — 43 pts
Red Star — 41 pts
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