Lyon moved up to fourth and remained in strong contention for a Champions League spot as they edged out fellow challengers Montpellier.

Michel Bastos took advantage of a defensive mistake to score the only goal after 72 minutes, and it could prove crucial in the tight race for Europe.

Lyon are now two points behind Lille, who hold the final Champions League spot, and still have a game in hand.

Montpellier are another two points back in sixth place and their own hopes are far from over with three games left to play.

It was end-to-end stuff at the Stade de la Mosson.

Lyon had the first chance, but Geoffrey Jourdren made the save to keep out Bastos’ fifth minute free-kick.

At the other end, Karim Ait-Fana beat Cris and fired goalwards, but Hugo Lloris made the save.

Lyon then struck the post in the 14th minute as Bastos released Lisandro Lopez but the Argentinian failed to find the target by the narrowest of margins.

Montpellier were back on the attack in the 35th minute, but Souleymane Camara was denied by Lloris after being freed by Ait-Fana.

The second half was slower to get going, but Montpellier went close to taking the lead in the 56th minute.

Garry Bocaly’s cross appeared intended for Victor Hugo Montana, but he allowed it through to Alberto Costa whose strike was deflected by Jeremy Toulalan.

Lyon were back on the attack in the 70th minute but Bafetimbi Gomis fired just wide.

However, the goal arrived two minutes later as Lloris kicked a long ball that neither Montpellier centre-half dealt with, allowing Bastos to split them and race through to beat Jourdren with a low left-footed shot.

Lyon might have added another late on, but Gomis fired just wide.

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