Ligue 2 BKT: Le Mans surge into promotion race with statement win over Pau

Le Mans FC have thrown themselves firmly into the Ligue 2 promotion battle, delivering a commanding 4-0 victory over Pau FC to move within one point of second-placed AS Saint-Étienne. On a red-hot run of form, Le Mans made it four consecutive victories with a dominant display at Stade Marie-Marvingt. Dame Gueye was the star of the evening, scoring twice (26’, 40’ pen) to put the hosts firmly in control before the break.

Pau did have chances to respond, but their inefficiency proved costly against one of the division’s most clinical sides. Le Mans, by contrast, showed no mercy in the closing stages. Late goals from Lucas Bretelle (78’) and Antoine Rabillard (83’) capped off an emphatic performance. With five games remaining, a fairytale return to Ligue 1 is still on the cards just one year after earning promotion from FFF National last season.

Troyes denied by Montpellier

It was a trip to sunny Montpellier for league leaders l'ESTAC Troyes on Saturday, but it saw their five-game winning run come to an end as they had to come back from behind to draw against the Hérault outfit. The affair would spark straight into life when Martin Adeline opened the scoring after just three minutes, but Montpellier responded almost immediately through Théo Chennahi, who converted Alexandre Mendy's cross less than a minute later.

Montpellier grew into the game and turned things around just before the break. Mendy converted from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time, giving the hosts a deserved lead at the interval.

However, Troyes capitalised on a costly defensive error midway through the second half. Tawfik Bentayeb punished a loose ball in midfield, cleverly lobbing the goalkeeper to level the score at 2-2. The forward, already influential as a provider earlier in the game, once again proved decisive. The result keeps Troyes top with 58 points, still firmly in control of the promotion race despite the end of their winning streak.

Saint-Étienne rescue a point at the death

Later in the evening it would be the turn of Saint-Étienne, who mirrored the league leaders' result in dramatic fashion by snatching a 1-1 draw away to Nancy thanks to a last-gasp equaliser. The hosts stunned the visitors early on, with Zakaria Fadouch finishing a swift counter-attack inside six minutes to put Nancy ahead.

Saint-Étienne dominated proceedings but struggled in front of goal. Their frustration was compounded just before half-time when Zuriko Davitashvili saw his penalty saved by Enzo Basilio.

As the match ticked into stoppage time, it appeared the Verts would suffer a costly defeat in the promotion race. But Lucas Stassin emerged as the hero in the 97th minute, converting deep into added time to salvage a crucial point.