Valenciennes vs. Nancy

The evenly matched game got off to a fiery start when, in the fifth minute, Nancy keeper Gennaro Bracigliano fumbled a cross, resulting in Mamadou Samassa firing in a debut home goal.

But the euphoria lasted just ten minutes as Nancy drew level when on-loan debutant Floyd Ayite’s shot would take a deflection off a heel, deceiving VA goalkeeper Nicolas Penneteau.

Valenciennes started the second half brightly as a free kick from Siaka Tiene would hit the post and a Renaud Cohade header would again rattle the frame.

But visitors would strike for the second time when a brilliant play from Julien Feret would setup Jonathan Brison, who scored via a simple finish on 58 minutes

The hosts had a perfect chance to get back into the game when Gael Danic’s kick was save by Bracigliano but minutes later, Nancy debutant Bakary Traore converted a penalty sealing all three points.

The hosts poor display was capped by a nightmarish end when keeper Penneteau was sent off in stoppage time for bringing down Issiar Dia, who had rounded him outside the box and was looked to add a fourth.