Marseille keep up, Rennes come back

Marseille earned an impressive result in north-west France today, beating Brest 2-1 to keep the pressure on Ligue 1 leaders Lyon. Having been drubbed 4-1 by the team they are chasing in midweek, Elie Baup's men needed to show they had the qualities needed for a title fight today and they did just that at the Stade Francis-Le Ble. As a result of the win, given to them by goals from Souleymane Diawara and Andre Ayew either side of a Charlison Benschop equaliser, they are two points behind Lyon at the top of the table. Jonathan Pitriopa's late goal sealed a comeback victory for Rennes that denied ten-man Troyes a second win of the Ligue 1 season. Estac enjoyed the rare luxury of watching their Breton opponents chase the game for close to an hour, with Stephane Darbion doubling their advantage after Benjamin Nivet headed the opener. But Rennes pulled a goal back through Romain Alessandrini just after the break and Troyes soon wobbled, Julien Feret drawing the visitors level with an unstoppable drive nine minutes from time. A point was within the hosts' grasp but they let it slip away at the death, Pitriopa breaking hearts at the Stade de l'Aube with a goal before Corentin Jean's unnecessary dismissal soon after his arrival as an 80th-minute substitute. A goal on the stroke of half-time saw Lorient beat Toulouse 1-0. Benjamin Corgnet was the matchwinner, sweeping home Jeremie Aliadiere's cross for the mid-table hosts. FIFA