Draw means Marseille lose more ground in French league

Second-placed Marseille lost further ground on leaders PSG by drawing 1-1 with Strasbourg in the French league.

Facing a well-organised and lively visiting side, Marseille struggled to develop their attacking moves in the first half and relied on a penalty converted by Mason Greenwood after the interval to secure a point on Sunday (Monday AEDT).

Marseille have a five-point lead over third-place Lille in the race for Champions League spots.

They are now lagging nine points behind PSG, who won 2-1 at Lens on Saturday ahead of a crucial Champions League match against Manchester City on Wednesday.

Emanuel Emegha made the most of Marseille's passivity to put the visitors in front in the 23rd minute. The Dutch forward was set up by the unmarked Andrey Santos in the back of the high defensive line and rushed towards goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, finishing off the move with a chipped finish.

Strasbourg's intense press posed many problems for the hosts. Marseille played better in the second half and were rewarded by a penalty in the 66th minute when Robinio Vaz was fouled. Greenwood converted with a low shot past Djordje Petrovic, who had picked the right side but could not block the shot.

Both teams had their chances in the second half, and Strasbourg wasted the best of them with 20 minutes left after Marseille defenders were once again surprised by a through-ball. Sebastian Nanasi found Emegha, who shot past Rulli but his strike hit the post.

Both Saint-Etienne and Nantes are part of French soccer aristocracy, having respectively won 10 and and eight league titles. But their past glory has long vanished. This season, they have each mustered 17 points from 18 matches and are both in danger of being demoted.

Saint-Etienne sit 16th in the 18-team standings - the relegation playoff spot - just behind Nantes, who have a better goal difference.

Nantes thought they would bring back three crucial points from their trip to Stade Geoffroy Guichard until the 86th minute, when St Etienne substitute forward Augustine Boakye snatched a late equaliser for the hosts with a long-range curled strike.

Moses Simon had opened the scoring for Nantes in the 14th minute.

Auxerre were in control against Angers when Sinaly Diomande beat his own goalkeeper with a powerful header as he tried to clear a corner in the 18th minute.

Four minutes later, his teammate Gabriel Osho was sent off for a foul on Esteban Lepaul and Auxerre found themselves reduced to 10 men for more than an hour.

After such a poor start, Auxerre would have needed a miracle to recover. It did not happen and Angers won 2-0 after Lepaul scored soon after the interval.

The result lifted Angers level on points with Auxerre, with both clubs lagging 24 points behind PSG.

In the day's other match, Reims and Le Havre fought out a 1-1 draw.