SEDAN, May 5 (Ligue 1) - Sedan kept alive hopes of retaining their Ligue 1 status on Saturday evening with a come-from-behind victory over Lorient at the Stade Louis Dugauguez.

Jose Pasqualetti's second-bottom side knew a home defeat - coupled with wins for Nice and Valenciennes - would send Sedan down, and it did not look good when the visitors took the lead four minutes before half-time through Nabil Taider.

Sedan battled back, though, and reaped their reward with goals from Nicolas Marin, Stephane Noro and Gregory Pujol earning what could be a priceless three points.

Noro fired in the first shot of the match for Sedan midway through the first half, but his long-range effort was off-target.

Rafik Saifi then tried his luck for Lorient from distance, but never looked likely to worry Patrick Regnault in the home goal.

Taider broke the deadlock for the visitors in the 41st minute, shooting powerfully past Regnault after finding himself unmarked on the left.

Lorient keeper Remy Riou then pulled off a brilliant reflex save after a shot had come through a jungle of legs.

In first-half stoppage time, though, Riou was helpless as Sedan began their comeback.

Marin's cross-cum-shot from a seemingly impossible angle flew past him and into the net.

Joseph Job fired just wide for Sedan in the 52nd minute, with Noro's effort moments later held easily by Riou.

Nadir Belhadj showed his disgust at being substituted just after the hour mark by heading straight to the changing rooms, and exited to a chorus of whistles from the crowd.

Those same fans were cheering 16 minutes from time, however, when Noro's long-range shot was fumbled by Riou and found its way into the net to put Sedan 2-1 up.

Two minutes from time, the result was put beyond any doubt when Pujol pressurised Michael Ciani and supplied the finish past the outstretched hands of Riou.