All square in Troyes

An evenly matched Ligue 1 clash between Troyes and Montpellier ended with a fitting draw at Stade de l'Aube.

An evenly matched Ligue 1 clash between Troyes and Montpellier ended with a fitting 1-1 draw at Stade de l'Aube. The visiting side took the lead after 19 minutes when Younes Belhanda put the finishing touch to a fine passing move but second-bottom Troyes levelled four minutes before the break via Fabien Camus. Both sides had chances to take all three points in the second period but neither can feel aggrieved at sharing the spoils. Montpellier started in positive frame of mind, Belhanda linking with John Utaka for the first chance of the game only for the latter's shot to be blocked by Matthieu Saunier. Belhanda was involved again in the 17th minute, his corner finding Hilton, whose header squirmed narrowly wide. The breakthrough soon arrived and it was no surprise to see Belhanda on the end of a flowing move that drew in Utaka and Remy Cabella. The Moroccan produced a crisp finish from 25 yards to leave Yohann Thuram well beaten in the Troyes goal. The game drifted for the next 20 minutes, neither side doing much, but the hosts were surprisingly level in the 41st minute when Camus notched. Benjamin Nivet was partially responsible for the assist and although Camus was an unintended recipient he produced a decisive finish. Buoyed by their equaliser, Troyes came out with greater intent after the restart. Camus crossed for Marcos two minutes into the half and the Brazilian shot just over the crossbar. Camus himself then drew a low save from Geoffrey Jourdren on the hour mark. The visitors might easily have gone back in front in the 68th minute when Garry Bocaly surged forward and lofted a pass towards Gaetan Charbonnier, whose header required a swift reflex save from Thuram. Both sides had time for one more shot at the winner, Marcos denied by Jourdren and Souleymane Camara failing to beat Thuram with five minutes to play.