Ligue 1: Toulouse edge crunch clash

Lorient dropped into the Ligue 1 relegation zone as Toulouse won a classic six-pointer 1-0 at the Stade du Moustoir on Saturday night.

Danish striker Martin Braithwaite came up with the 27th-minute winner after superb work from midfielder Tongo Doumbia and they survived the late dismissal of midfielder Francois Moubandje to hang on to three precious points.

Lorient president Loic Fery chose to sit with the fans to support his team instead of the usual VIP places in a show of unity after a run of four defeats in six matches.

But Les Merlus were lucky not to fall behind after 12 minutes when Francois Bellugou lost the ball to Braithwaite and he was indebted to a fine save from Benjamin Lecomte to keep the scores level.

Lorient stirred when Lamine Kone released Walid Mesloub and his mazy run took him past four defenders but his shot ended inches wide of the post.

Braithwaite gave Toulouse the lead but Lorient almost equalised after 39 minutes when Jordan Ayew found the unmarked Yann Jouffre and his right-foot shot struck the woodwork.

Toulouse might have settled the issue through Braithwaite and Alexis Blin in the second period and Lorient's disgruntled fans began to show their disapproval by chanting they do not want to go to Ligue 2.

Lecomte kept Lorient in the game when he saved from Braithwaite again but not even an 85th-minute red card for Moubandje's nasty tackle on Ayew could save them.

With only five games left Lorient are running out of time to find some form, but Toulouse have now won three of their last last four games and are out of the bottom three for the first time in two months.