Ligue 1: Lens lose relegation clash to Metz

Lens' stay in Ligue 1 looks even more precarious after they were beaten 3-1 by relegation rivals Metz.

The division's bottom side were desperate to pick up their seventh league victory this season, but goals from Florent Malouda, Bouna Sarr and Modibo Maiga saw Metz to victory. Aristote Madiani netted a late consolation.

Despite the win, Metz remain in trouble, one off the bottom of the table and eight points from safety with six games left.

Lens were given a warning as early as the seventh minute when Maiga played in Malouda, who beat Benjamin Boulenger and fired a powerful right-footed effort which Rudy Riou punched clear.

And six minutes later the home side were ahead. Ferjani Sassi muscled his way through toward the penalty area and although Jean-Philippe Gbamin blocked his effort the ball fell to Malouda who followed in to volley home.

Lens' first effort on goal came just before the half-hour mark when Wylan Cyprien's free-kick reached Ahmed Kashi, whose touch towards goal was kept out by Mfa Mezui.

Malouda should have doubled the Metz advantage when he was set free in the area by Yeni N'Gbakoto, but Riou deflected his effort away to safety.

Seven minutes after the restart Riou was once again called into action to deny Maiga, but in the 56th minute the stopper was to be beaten for a second time.

Bounar Sarr was brought down in the box by Boulenger and the player picked himself up before firing the spot kick past Riou.

Riou made an impressive reflex save from Guido Milan to keep his side in the game, before Lens finally tested Anthony Mfa in the second period.

Yoann Touzghar released Aristote Madiani on the right of the penalty area and his effort needed a decent save from the stopper.

And 11 minutes from time the game was over. Gbamin's terrible back pass was intercepted by Maiga who rounded Riou before placing the ball into the empty net.

Lens got a late consolation when Madiani netted from close range, but Lens look destined for Ligue 2.