Nice have climbed up to fourth in Ligue 1 with a narrow 1-0 away win against Bastia.

Eric Bautheac tried an ambitious effort from long range for the away side after just eight minutes but to no avail.

Anthony Modeste then headed Gilles Cioni's cross just wide for Bastia, who could have taken the lead through Florian Thauvin before the half-hour mark.

Valentin Eysseric and Didier Digard had chances for Nice, who had to wait until the hour mark to break the deadlock.

Fabrice Abriel released Neal Maupay, who fired home from the centre of the Bastia penalty box.

Eysseric could have doubled Nice's advantage just minutes later had he been able to keep his attempt on target.

Sylvain Marchal had his effort saved in the 71st minute for Bastia, who could have sneaked a late equaliser had Claudio Beauvue's header from Jerome Rothen's delivery been on target.