Lyon were forced to settle for a point after narrowly failing to claim all three in a dramatic conclusion.

Gyan Asamoah had given Rennes a first-half lead, but Lisandro Lopez levelled before the interval.

And Bafetimbi Gomis’ superb effort hit the bar with three minutes remaining to leave the sides level and prevent Lyon going level on points with new Ligue 1 leaders Bordeaux.

Asamoah struck with his first touch of the ball just before the quarter-hour mark. Ismael Bangoura played in the Ghana striker who outfoxed Jean-Alain Boumsong and fired into the far corner.

Lyon went in search of an equaliser straight away and Jean Makoun set up defender Cris to volley narrowly wide from 25 yards before visiting keeper Abdoulaye Diallo made a stunning double save.

Cesar Delgado played in Miralem Pjanic, but Diallo blocked the Bosnia-Herzegovina midfielder’s close-range effort and then reacted superbly to save Michel Bastos’ follow-up.

But the pressure told three minutes before half-time as Lisandro’s free-kick deceived Diallo and found the net.

Lisandro saw a volley blocked on the line early in the second half before the game settled into a predictable pattern with few chances.

Rennes, encouraged by having frustrated their illustrious hosts for so long, launched a late charge for a winner and went close several times in the last 10 minutes.

Sylvain Marveaux and Samba Sow combined to set up Bruno Cheyrou, whose effort was superbly saved by Hugo Lloris.

And the France keeper was in action again soon afterwards to save Jires Kembo-Ekoko’s long-range effort and Fabian Lemoine’s drive, following Cris’ poor clearance, skimmed the post on its way to safety.

But they were unable to break through and almost paid the price for their adventure as Gomis’ instinctive volley was repelled by the woodwork and Lisandro’s free-kick deep into injury time was kept out by Diallo.

ESPNSoccernet.com