PARIS, Jan 25 (Reuters) - St Etienne recaptured their winning ways after losing their last four competitive matches with a 2-0 victory at Nancy on Thursday to move into fifth in Ligue 1.

Brazilian Ilan was instrumental, opening the scoring on 55 minutes before setting up fellow forward Batefimbi Gomis, who sealed the visitors' victory in the 71st.

St Etienne are back in the race for places in Europe on 34 points from 21 games, 16 points behind leaders Olympique Lyon, who lost 2-1 at home to Girondins Bordeaux on Wednesday.

Easterners Nancy, slowing down after a strong start to the season, drop to ninth, 20 points off the pace.