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Lens beat Sochaux to secure hold over second position

Lens handed out a 3-1 beating to Sochaux on Sunday to consolidate second place in the French league, 11 points adrift of leaders Lyon, to move them closer to a Champions League berth next season.

In Sunday's other game Marseille failed in their bid to end a 29-year winless spell at Bordeaux, losing 1-0 to keep them in fourth.

Lens came up with the perfect reply to Lyon's 1-0 win over Lorient 24 hours earlier -- the five time champions' first success of the year -- in emphatic fashion.

Vitorino Hilton, with a header, and Seydou Keita had them 2-0 up inside half an hour with Aruna Dindane adding their third, and his ninth of the season, on 58 minutes.

Olivier Monterrubio, signed from Rennes in the final hours of the January transfer window, played a decisive part in the victory, setting up the opening and closing goals.

Dusko Tosik came up with a late consolation for Sochaux who are placed sixth, 18 points off Lyon.

Lens boss Francois Gillot said: "There are only three or four teams who are in contention for a Champions League spot, but with 14 games left a lot can still happen."

He added: "You have to pay tribute to the entire team, the defense, midfield and forwards, who produced a great game. We could have scored five in the end."

Marseille manager Albert Emon had noted before the trip to Bordeaux most of his side weren't even born when the south coast club last won there in 1977.

And Julian Foubert's 74th minute close range blast ensured that dubious distinction will last at least another 12 months.

Marseille are lying 17 points off Lyon who took on Lorient aiming to avoid a fourth defeat of the year and they duly accomplished that mission thanks to Fred, the Brazilian striker who produced the only goal of the game in the eighth minute.

Lyon's France international keeper Gregory Coupet set Fred up with a long ball and the striker produced an unstoppable drive to beat Lorient stopper Remy Riout from 30m.

Manager Gerard Houllier said: "I'm very happy to have won. I'm proud and satisfied with the players' performance in tricky conditions. We know what we've got to do to become champions. I liked this match because I feel Lyon's spirit has returned."

Third-placed Lille lost 1-0 at Toulouse, with the goal scored in injury time by their own Gregory Tafforeau.
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