Montpellier edge Bordeaux to move clear

John Utaka headed an 80th-minute winner as Montpellier kept up the pressure on Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1 with a 1-0 victory over Bordeaux tonight. The Nigerian powered home Marco Estrada's corner to keep the hosts firmly in the title hunt. Montpellier missed the chance to go top of the table last time out when they conceded a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at PSG, and they were almost behind after just two minutes this evening. Goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren pulled off a brilliant reflex save to keep out Nicolas Maurice-Belay's left-footed shot after he had been played by Ludovic Obraniak. Montpellier were soon into their stride, though, and Younes Belhanda crashed a volley against the bar before bringing a smart stop out of keeper Cedric Carrasso with a free-kick. Both sides were looking dangerous and Obraniak let fly from 25 yards, his shot hitting a post with a stretching Jourdren beaten. At the other end, Carrasso kept out Estrada's free-kick from the right. Both goalkeepers were doing their best to help their teams, Jourdren this time saving from an unmarked Maurice-Belay soon after the break. Belhanda was then denied again by Carrasso, who kept out his low right-footed shot, but the Bordeaux keeper was finally beaten ten minutes from time. Estrada swung in a corner and Utaka rose to head it firmly home at the near post. Montpellier almost extended their lead as Belhanda's shot flew inches over the top, but one proved enough