Clerc checks Saint-Etienne’s European push

Nice’s defender Francois Clerc (2ndL) is congratuled by teamates after scoring

An 89th-minute goal by full-back Francois Clerc allowed Nice to snatch a 3-2 win at Saint-Etienne on Saturday that prevented the home side from making ground on their rivals for European qualification in Ligue 1.

Clerc volleyed home at the back post from Renato Civelli’s flick-on, after Nice winger Anthony Mounier had twice cancelled out goals from Max Gradel and Sylvain Marchal.

The defeat left Christophe Galtier’s side three points behind fifth-placed Lyon in sixth place, while Nice climbed to 15th in the standings, a point above the relegation zone.

Bordeaux are four points behind Saint-Etienne in eighth after substitute Thomas Guerbert scored in injury time — barely a minute after coming on — to earn Dijon a 1-1 draw at Stade Chaban Delmas.

Bottom club Auxerre beat Valenciennes 2-0 to end a 12-game winless run and give Jean-Guy Wallemme his first victory since he replaced Laurent Fournier as coach.

Auxerre are now just three points from safety, while Sochaux dragged Brest into trouble with a 2-1 home win over the Brittany side that enabled Eric Hely’s team to climb to 18th and draw level on points with their vanquished opponents.

In the day’s other early game, Evian tightened their grip on 10th place by winning 1-0 at Lorient.

With leaders Montpellier not in action this weekend, Paris Saint-Germain could open up a three-point lead at the top of the table if they win at Nancy in Saturday’s late game.

Montpellier’s trip to Marseille has been pushed back to April 11 to allow OM to focus on the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Third-placed Lille host fourth-placed Toulouse on Sunday, while Lyon visit Rennes.

©2011 AFP