Lille stay on course

Lille maintained their push for a Champions League spot after beating struggling Brest 2-1 at the Stade Francis-Le Ble.

Lille maintained their push for a Champions League spot after beating struggling Brest at the Stade Francis-Le Ble. Florian Raspentino put the home side ahead after 10 minutes, before Lille levelled eight minutes later through Salomon Kalou. And with 11 minutes left Lille grabbed the winner through Nolan Roux to move them to within four points of third-placed Lyon who face Sochaux this evening. Lille came into the match in good shape having won six of their past eight, although one of those defeats was a surprise home reverse against struggling Evian. Brest, who were without former Lille man Geoffrey Dernis because of a knee injury, were hoping to get back on track after a thumping 4-0 reverse against rivals Lorient. Landry Chauvin's side are under pressure, heading into this weekend's matches one point and once place above third-bottom Sochaux. They made the perfect start when Benoit Lesoimier at the far post found Raspentino who finished from close range. However seven minutes later Lille were level when Dimitri Payet's header was flicked on by Aurelien Chedjou to Kalou at the far post who headed home. Ronny Rodelin shot inches wide from 20 yards after 25 minutes before Mario Licka did the same for Brest three minutes after the restart. Rodelin headed just over three minutes later before Joan Hartcock was forced into a good save to keep out Benoit Pedretti's free-kick. However he could not keep out Roux who volleyed past the stopper to seal the three points.