Le Mans vs. Lens

A first-half brace from Frederic Thomas set the hosts on their way before Anthony Le Tallec sealed the victory on the hour mark.

Le Mans got off to a good start when, in the 13th minute, Thorstein Helstad chested down Sebastien Corchia's cross for Thomas who smashed a half volley past Runje. The hosts could have doubled their lead minutes later but Runje did well to deny Helstad.

However, there was nothing Runje could do on the half-hour mark when Thomas doubled his tally, curling a stunning shot into the top corner from over 30 yards out. Le Mans could have had several more before the interval but Runje pulled off a string of excellent saves to frustrate Modibo Maiga, Guillaume Lloriot and Helstad.

But it was game over on the hour mark when Le Tallec leapt above Eric Chelle in the area and headed in off the underside of the crossbar. Le Mans almost scored a superb fourth in the dying minutes as Roland Lamah weaved his way through the Lens defence, beating four players before unleashing a stunning shot which crashed off the crossbar.

The result sees Le Mans move into 15th spot, while Lens dropped three places into 13th.