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Auxerre squander chance to take top spot

They had to settle for a three-way tie on 57 points with leaders Olympique Lyon and second-placed Montpellier. Auxerre are third on goal difference with seven games left.

Romania striker Daniel Niculae put Auxerre in front from inside the box in the 11th minute but their advantage was quickly cancelled out by Younousse Sankhare.

"We're disappointed to see we couldn't get three points but let's wait the end of the season before drawing any conclusion," Auxerre coach Jean Fernandez told Canal Plus television.

The Burgundy side pushed harder after the interval but Jelen's efforts all went wide.

"We started off well and had we held the lead longer, we would have threatened PSG more ... We were tired after the interval, especially Jelen, and that's what cost us a lot," said Fernandez.

"The most important thing is the result and we got a good one. Even if we had to struggle, we reached our goal," Marseille coach Didier Deschamps told reporters.

"We started slowly against a team whose main intention was to defend ... but eventually, we were able to get a win.

"This is a good weekend for us as we are now closer to the top ... It's going to be tight until the end."