A late goal from Johan Audel secured Nantes to a 2-1 away victory at Lorient in Ligue 1 this evening.
Lorient should have taken the lead after just five minutes when Walid Mesloub crossed for Yoann Wachter, who sent his header wide of the right post.
Nantes responded through Alejandro Bedoya, who broke towards goal and fired a shot just over the crossbar from an awkward angle.
The visitors went ahead just before half time when Yacine Bammou tucked home from the centre of the box, leaving his side to take the advantage into the interval.
Nantes keeper Remy Riou then produced two fine saves in the space of a few seconds to deny Benjamin Jeannot and prevent Lorient from equalising.
Jordan Ayew continued his promising form of late to bring Lorient back into the fixture, as he met Lamine Gassama's cross with his head to make it 1-1.
Parity was not to last too long, though, as Nantes grabbed the winning goal in the 79th minute.
Audel made no mistake in finishing from Georges-Kevin Nkoudou Mbida's through ball to snatch the final his side a 2-1 win.
Christopher Dodd
