Montpellier HSC responded to their first defeat in nine Ligue 1 games by battling to a 1-1 draw with Bordeaux at the Stade de la Mosson this afternoon.
Hilton cancelled out Carlos Henrique's opener in the first half, as the hosts recorded their 16th draw of the season after seeing their unbeaten run ended by Lille last week.
© AFP
Reported Newcastle United target Remy Cabella called Bordeaux goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren into action in the opening 10 minutes with a 20-yard shot, which was heading for the bottom corner.
At the other end, there was a sign that set pieces could be important during the match when Andre Biyogo Poko dragged a shot narrowly wide of the Montpellier goal after a corner fell at his feet.
It was a dead-ball situation that led to the visitors taking a 23rd-minute lead, as Gregory Sertic delivered the second ball into the box for Henrique to power home with his head from five yards.
Bordeaux's advantage lasted only nine minutes, and again it was a corner that was the source of the goal as Hilton equalised with a replica headed effort from Siaka Tiene's pinpoint delivery.
There were second-half chances for both sides to take maximum points, with Cabella and Anthony Mounier coming close for Montpellier, with the latter missing a header from 10 yards out.
Jourdren produced a fine save to deny Nicolas Maurice-Belay and later kept out Mariano, as an even game ended level to see Montpellier and Bordeaux remain 14th and ninth in the table respectively.
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