French Ligue 1

AS Nancy Lorraine 1-1 AC Ajaccio

Nancy remain rooted to the bottom of the Ligue 1 table after they could only draw with mid-table Ajaccio at the Stade Marcel Picot this evening.

Djamel Bakar put the home side ahead after seven minutes, but it was a lead they could not hold onto as Adrian Mutu tucked a penalty away 15 minutes before the end after Romain Grange handled in the area.

The point leaves Jean Fernandez's side seven points off safety and with just one victory to their name so far.

It's been an awful campaign so far for Nancy and they almost made the worst possible start to this contest but Eduardo's stinging volley was saved by Guy Ndy-Assembe after six minutes.

However just 60 seconds later Nancy were in front as Bakar led the counter attack, beating Carl Medjani and Yohann Poulard before thundering a 20-yard effort into the top right-hand corner.

Ajaccio came close to going level nine minutes before the break when Mutu's 25-yard free-kick smashed into the post.

The Romanian striker then played in Mehdi Mostefa, but Ndy-Assembe was out quickly to smother.

Ajaccio were thankful to Guillermo Ochoa that they didn't go two behind just after the restart, the Mexican international stopper saving twice in quick succession from Jordan Loties.

Mutu was again the creator just before the hour mark as his free-kick was met by Ricardo Faty, whose header fell just wide.

Six minutes later and they were back on level terms as Grane handled from Mutu's corner and the former Fiorentina striker scored from the spot, shooting down the middle after waiting for N'Dy Assembe to make his move.

The visitors could have won it 13 minutes before the end after Frederic Samaritano released Sigamary Diarra but his effort from just outside the box was parried by Ndy-Assembe.