Auxerre beat Lille to claim fifth away win

Paris: Striker Roy Contout scored twice as Auxerre claimed their fifth away win of the season by beating Lille 2-1 on Sunday to move within six points of French league leaders Bordeaux.

The 25-year-old Contout, who joined Auxerre from second-division side Amiens this season, started the game after Ireneusz Jelen was ruled out with back problems.

Auxerre remained in sixth place with 45 points. Defending champions Bordeaux and Montpellier have 51 points each with Bordeaux topping the standings on goal difference.

The game was played on a rain-drenched pitch after being delayed for two hours because of a violent storm that brought heavy rain and strong winds.

Contout put Auxerre ahead in the 19th minute when he headed home Benoit Pedretti's corner at the far post.

Following a swift counterattack, midfielder Eden Hazard levelled with a powerful low shot in the 34th.

Hazard went close five minutes later when he hit the bar from Ricardo Costa's cross.

Lille dominated the second half as Ludovic Obraniak forced goalkeeper Olivier Sorin to make an acrobatic save in the 56th before Costa headed over ten minutes later.

Contout took advantage of a mistake by defender Adil Rami to give his team the three points with a left-foot shot between goalkeeper Michael Landreau's legs in the 72nd minute.

Lille was handed its first loss in seven matches in all competitions and moved down to fourth in the standings with 47 points.

Fifth-place Marseille was to play at fierce rivals Paris Saint-Germain later on Sunday.

Montpellier beat Rennes 3-1 on Saturday to draw level on points with Bordeaux but having played two games more.