Ligue 1: Guingamp keep up momentum

Christophe Mandanne and Claudio Beauvue were on target as Guingamp extended their unbeaten run to five games with a 2-0 victory over Lens on Saturday.

Guingamp followed up their wins against Caen, Reims and Paris St Germain and a draw last time out against Toulouse against strugglers Lens, who are without a win in four games away from home.

The win left Guingamp in 13th place in the Ligue 1 standings, while Lens remain in the bottom three.

Guingamp went close twice in the early stages, firstly Beauvue's effort from 16 yards was deflected over the bar after Jeremy Pied found him on the edge of the area before Thibault Giresse's effort flirted dangerously with Remy Riou's post following a swift counter-attack.

The hosts took a deserved lead in the 17th minute, however, after Jean-Philippe Gbamin made a hash of Dorian Leveque's delivery and Mandanne hammered home from point-blank range.

Guingamp nearly added a second on the half-hour mark when Giresse's dangerous free-kick found Moustapha Diallo and his header beat Riou only to come back off the post.

Lens had a rare chance five minutes before the break when Pierrick Valdivia's dangerous corner was flicked on at the near post by Jerome Le Moigne, but an unmarked Ahmed Kantari was unable to add a telling touch at the back post.

Guingamp took a 1-0 lead into the break but they had to wait another 20 minutes for another clear-cut chance on goal when Giresse fired a free-kick beyond the wall and past Riou, but the ball came back off the post.

The hosts were given the chance to seal the win from the penalty spot in the 76th minute which they took.

Defender Leveque was pushed in the back by Boubacar Sylla but it was outside the box, however, despite that the referee pointed at the spot. Beauvue took charge and sent Riou the wrong way to double his side's lead and wrap up victory.