Not Nice to play Nice

Ajaccio moved a step closer to the Ligue 1 relegation trapdoor on Saturday as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Nice.

Ajaccio moved a step closer to the Ligue 1 relegation trapdoor on Saturday as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Nice. The visitors trailed after just five minutes to a Christian Bruls goal and, despite their best efforts, they were unable to equalise with Dario Cvitanich rounding off the win in the final seconds. Nice are now unbeaten in their last four league matches as they continue the push for mid-table security, but bottom club Ajaccio are 11 points from safety and seemingly with no end in sight to their current poor form. The Corsicans endured the worst possible start as luck deserted them for the early opener. Bruls got some power to a 25-yard free-kick, which smashed the right post and then appeared to brush goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa's ankle on its way into the net. Ajaccio at least made a fight of it at the Allianz Riviera. Benjamin Andre's right-footed strike was kept out at full stretch by David Ospina, who then made another save on the half-hour to deny a low drive from Johan Cavalli. Cvitanich tried to put some distance between the two teams at the start of the second half but could only fire over from 25 yards. Ajaccio continued to create chances and Ospina was called upon again after 57 minutes, getting the better of Cavalli when one-on-one with the midfielder. Paul Lasne was the next player to try and make the breakthrough for the visitors and his volley fell inches wide of the right post. Ajaccio eventually ran out of steam, though, and they were made to pay in stoppage time when Cvitanich picked up a ball from Didier Digard. The Argentinian saw his first shot blocked by Ochoa but was on hand to slot home the rebound.