Cedric Bakambu delivered another major blow to Lyon's title hopes as his 89th-minute winner in Sochaux's 2-1 victory left them eight points behind Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain.
While Sochaux will celebrate Bakambu's strike for catapulting them out of the drop zone it further derailed Lyon's hopes of reclaiming the league crown following a run that has now seen them without a win in four games.
On a frustrating night for the hosts, that saw them hit the woodwork on three occasions, they looked like they might salvage at least a point when Bafetimbi Gomis' 69th-minute penalty cancelled out Giovanno Sio's opener.
But an unmarked Bakambu left them with no time for a second comeback after Sio's clever build-up play. Sochaux's win, their first in six games since upsetting PSG, moves them two points clear of danger.
Lille maintained their push for a Champions League spot after beating struggling Brest 2-1 at the Stade Francis-Le Ble.
Florian Raspentino put the home side ahead after 10 minutes, before Lille levelled eight minutes later through Salomon Kalou. And with 11 minutes left Lille grabbed the winner through Nolan Roux.
Marseille replaced Lyon in second place following an impressive first away win of the year on Sunday - 1-0 in Nice.
A solitary first-half Andre-Pierre Gignac header was enough to claim all three points for the visitors and their first win in three saw them move seven points behind leaders PSG.
A third defeat in four meant Nice missed a great opportunity to move up to fourth and with it put a large dent in their Champions League aspirations.
