Saint-Etienne had to rely on an own goal from Troyes midfielder Thomas Ayasse to pick up victory away at the Stade de l'Aube this evening.
The visitors went into the lead after 13 minutes when Ayasse put the ball into the back of his own net after making contact with a Benjamin Corgnet cross.
Corentin Jean had a half-chance to equalise for Troyes shortly afterwards, but his shot from an awkward angle was saved by Stephane Ruffier.
Francois Clerc and Nolan Roux both tested Denis Petric before the end of the first half, but neither could double Saint-Etienne's lead.
Troyes continued to look for an equaliser into the second half, and came close just over five minutes in when Jean struck Ruffier's bar with a shot from outside the box.
The Monaco loanee threatened again minutes later, but could only header over from an Anele Ngcongca cross.
Chaouki Ben Saada had an attempt saved for the visitors with just under 20 minutes remaining as Ruffier remained sharp, then denying a long-range shot from Jean once again shortly after as Saint-Etienne held on for the win.
Miles Jolliffe
