No goals at Nantes

Nantes and Reims played out a goalless stalemate that maintains both teams' unlikely assault on the top six in Ligue 1.

Nantes and Reims played out a goalless stalemate on Saturday that maintains both teams' unlikely assault on the top six in Ligue 1. Reims' Odair Fortes came closest to winning a low-key encounter with a shot that was tipped onto the bar in the first half, but in the final analysis a draw was a fair result for both sides. The result sees Nantes climb to fifth, a place ahead of Reims on goal difference, with both sides leapfrogging Marseille in the standings. The visitors had the first chance in the fifth minute when Floyd Ayite released Antoine Devaux but his shot flashed wide. The Nantes response was nearly half an hour in coming but when they finally threatened Filip Djordjevic's effort flew wide of the mark. Reims threatened again on 37 minutes when Ayite beat his marker before drilling an effort just wide, while minutes later the best chance of the contest came and went as Fortes curled in a fine effort from the edge of the area but Remy Riou palmed the ball onto the crossbar. Nantes threatened early in the second period when Serge Gakpe unleashed a powerful effort from fully 30 yards but Kossi Agassa was always behind it and held on. Agassa was again on hand to deny Alejandro Bedoya on 66 minutes and also stepped up to keep out Djordjevic just moments later. Reims carved out the final chance with a minute left as Devaux's cross was met with a first-time effort by Eliran Atar but Riou reacted well to punch clear.