Paris St Germain conceded an 86th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Auxerre as they missed the chance to go level on points with Montpellier at the top of Ligue 1.
PSG started the game three points behind the leaders but they could only manage a draw against the league's bottom side in the late kick-off to sit two points off top spot.
Nene put Carlo Ancelotti's side in front midway through the first half, but substitute Anthony Le Tallec levelled late on for Auxerre, who remain adrift at the foot of the table.
Earlier, Montpellier's title hopes had suffered a setback as their three-match winning run came to an end in a 2-1 defeat at Lorient.
Henri Bedimo's own goal in the 69th minute put the hosts in front and Joel Campbell's goal eight minutes later doubled their advantage. Olivier Giroud pulled one back for Montpellier a minute later, but they still slipped to defeat.
Lille breathed fresh life back into their fading title hopes with a 4-1 mauling of Ajaccio, which saw them move to within seven points of the leaders.
Lille's chances of retaining their title looked to have suffered a potentially decisive setback when last weekend's defeat to Brest left them ten points behind Montpellier, but they reduced the gap to seven after cruising past lowly Ajaccio.
A 16th-minute own goal from Yoann Poulard set Lille on their way, Joe Cole then added a second before the break and late strikes from Gianni Bruno and Eden Hazard, from the penalty spot, sealed the win.
Ajaccio netted an injury-time goal from Frederic Sammaritano, but it was nothing more than a consolation for a side who saw their five-match unbeaten run came to an end.
St Etienne's hopes of securing European football next season were boosted by a 2-1 home win over relegation-threatened Brest.
Although a Champions League spot may be beyond Christophe Galtier's men, a fourth-placed finish and Europa League football is not and, after this win, looks a distinct possibility. Max Gradel`s penalty and Bakary Sako's winner either side of Issam Jemaa's equaliser proved enough, with Les Verts now hot on the heels of fourth-placed Lyon.
Benoit Tremoulinas' last-minute penalty salvaged a point for Bordeaux as they came from behind to draw 2-2 with Nancy at the Stade Marcel Picot.
Yoan Gouffran put the Girondins in front in the 17th minute before Bakaye Traore levelled for Nancy just after the break. Sebastien Puygrenier then gave the home side the lead as Nancy looked to have secured their fifth win in a row before Tremoulinas fired home from the spot to snatch a late point for his side.
Modibo Maiga threw Sochaux a Ligue 1 lifeline as his second-half goal earned them a precious 1-0 win over Dijon.
In an increasingly congested bottom half of the table, Les Lionceaux remain in the relegation zone but only on goal difference. They occupy the last of those drop spots but, with just four points covering the sides between 12th and 19th, this result could prove to be priceless.
Evian continued their impressive away form as they secured a 3-0 victory and three more vital points in their battle to avoid relegation at the expense of Valenciennes.
All three of Evian's goals came in a 15-minute purple patch before half-time with Saber Khelifa, Kevin Berigaud and Yannick Sagbo, with a penalty, the men on the scoresheet. There was no way back for Valenciennes after that as Evian moved five points clear of their opponents and nine above the relegation zone.
