Lowly Nice enjoyed an unexpected 2-0 victory over 10-man Rennes to claim only their third win of the Ligue 1 season.
David Monzon scored the opener from the penalty spot with Renato Civelli adding another 10 minutes before the break.
Rennes, who had John Boye sent off at the start of the second half, missed the chance to go third as a result of the defeat, while Nice remain in the bottom three despite picking up a welcome three points.
The home side were unfortunate not to be ahead after 13 minutes when Anthony Mounier's left-footed volley came back off the bar.
But they were gifted the lead two minutes later when Rennes goalkeeper Benoit Costil brought down Abraham Guie Guie in the area.
Monzon sent Cotil the wrong way with the resulting penalty.
Nice came close to adding another after 28 minutes through David Hellebuyck, who fired in a right-footed shot which brushed the right post on its way past.
Rennes had barely had a look-in so far and found themselves two goals down after 35 minutes. Fabrice Abriel picked out Civelli with his corner and the defender sent a diving header beyond the reach of Costil.
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors two minutes after the interval with Boye shown a straight red card for an ugly challenge on Mounier.
Nice immediately upped the pressure on their opponents and Civelli put a header inches over the crossbar from Monzon's free-kick.
The home side were wasteful again after 72 minutes when Civelli's headed assist was turned past the post by Guie Guie from close range.
It had been an evening to forget for Rennes, and their frustrations were summed up seven minutes from time when substitute Yacine Brahimi fired inches wide from an unmarked position.
