The first-half sending-off of Yannick Cahuzac has failed to prevent Bastia from earning a 0-0 draw at home to Nantes.

The opening half-hour at Stade Armand Cesari was uneventful as both sides struggled to make inroads in the opposition penalty area, but Nantes almost found the breakthrough after 33 minutes when Issa Cissokho fired straight at the goalkeeper from eight yards.

The fixture sprung to life with six minutes remaining before the break as Bastia were reduced to 10 men when Cahuzac was sent off by the referee but after the incident, Chaker Alhadhur saw his spot kick saved by Alphonse Areola.

Bastia held their own during the first exchanges of the second half but Nantes soon started to gain control, with Kian Hansen just missing the target from the edge of the penalty area.

Yacine Bammou and Alejandro Bedoya also saw shots go behind without troubling Areola before a header from Papy Djilobodji was directed wide of the far post.

As the minutes ticked by, Bastia kept more players behind the ball and that was enough to hold on to an important point against the odds.