Lens step up Champions League bid

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Lens' ambitions of playing Champions League football next season received a major boost when they saw off Toulouse 2-0 to go second, level on 56 points with Bordeaux, who eked out a goalless draw at Rennes.

Lens left it late to make the breakthrough, Seydou Keita breaching the Toulouse defense with six minutes left.

Daniel Cousin added a second from the penalty spot in the 89th minute.

Brazilian playmaker Juninho popped up with an injury time goal to earn champions Lyon a last gasp 1-1 draw against Paris Saint Germain at Parc des Princes.

Juninho's header in the fourth minute of added time cancelled out Edouard Cisse's shot two minutes after the break, depriving PSG of two precious points as they fight to stay in the top division.

Paul Le Guen's side are sixth from bottom, seven points above the drop zone ,with only games against fellow relegation battlers Nice and Troyes remaining.

But the Paris club's position is a whole lot rosier after a fine sequence in April which resulted in a four-game winning streak.

"We're continuing on our path and we're reasonably happy," said Cisse. "I would have preferred to win 1-0 but at least we are still progressing and can take on Nice on Wednesday with confidence."

For Le Guen the result proved PSG were still improving. "We're still in fighting with the others but we're a whole lot better placed than we were a month and a half ago.

"I'm convinced we'll stay up but we can't lift our foot off the pedal now."

Lyon manager Gerard Houllier commented: "I have to say a big well done to Paul (Le Guen), I'm happy that PSG look to be staying up."

The former Liverpool manager added: "Since we were knocked out of the Champions League we've won six and drawn six, that's the mark of champions." With their sixth title already in the bag Lyon moved up to 75 points.

Major knock

Nantes' bid to stave off relegation for the first time in their history suffered a major knock when they were held 1-1 at Le Mans.

The Canaries, missing their World Cup winning goalkeeper Fabien Barthez who walked out of the club in midweek after being attacked by fans, were heading for defeat after Daisuke Matsui gave Le Mans a 27th minute lead.

The equalizer, from Claudio Keseru, did not arrive until the third minute of stoppage time and Nantes are now three points adrift in bottom place.

Second from bottom Sedan breathed new life into their hopes of staying up with a 3-1 win against Lorient while Troyes, one point in front of them, suffered a 1-0 loss at Auxerre.

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