Rennes slip up

Rennes lost ground in the Ligue 1 title race after squandering a two-goal lead at home in a 2-2 draw with Brest.

Rennes lost ground in the Ligue 1 title race after squandering a two-goal lead at home to Brest. The hosts, who began the match six points behind leaders Lyon, looked all set to climb to fourth place after second-half goals by Julien Feret and Romain Alessandrini put them in the driving seat, but Brest rallied with goals from Benoit Lesoimier and Charlison Benschop inside the final 20 minutes. Brest lost Ahmed Kantari to a second yellow card in the final minute following an altercation with the referee, but the visitors held on for a valuable point in their battle to pull clear of the relegation places. Rennes are sixth after only their second draw in 16 games so far this season. Brest were the first to threaten in an open contest, with Johan Martial bringing a decent save from Benoit Costil in the sixth minute. Kevin Theophile-Catherine's long-range volley forced Alexis Thebaux into a good save in the 11th minute, while just after the half hour Alessandrini's powerful header from Mevlut Erding's cross brought another good stop from the Brest goalkeeper. Two minutes before the break Costil denied Bruno Grougi as both goalkeepers went in for half-time with their confidence high. But with so many chances being created the stalemate could not last, and Rennes duly went ahead in the 61st minute when Feret was released down the right and brilliantly beat the attentions of Abdoul Sissoko, Martial and Thebaux before slotting the ball into the empty net. Seven minutes later it was two, Jonathan Pitroipa, Feret and Erding combining well before the ball came to Alessandrini, who lashed home left-footed. Brest might have caved after conceding again, but instead they made a fight of it and pulled one back in the 71st minute when Geoffrey Dernis released Lesoimier and he beat Romain Danze before steering home. Rennes nervously sought to defend their advantage to the final whistle but they were undone three minutes from time when Lesoimier was allowed space to weigh up a perfect cross for Benschop who lashed in beyond the helpless Costil. Kantari received his marching orders for swearing at the referee in the closing moments but Brest held on.