Auxerre hammer Lorient 4-1

Auxerre kept up their slim hopes of winning the French Ligue-1 title following a home win over Lorient. Saturday's victory raises hope of the side closing a five-point gap on leaders Marseille.

Auxerre broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, Daniel Niculae played in Dennis Oliech, the Kenyan striker finishing with a shot past goalkeeper Fabien Audard.

They doubled their lead just two minutes later, when Ireneusz Jelen took advantage of a slip by Lorient captain Sylvain Marchal to score his 11th goal of the season.

Auxerre's Romanian forward Daniel Niculae (C) celebrates with teammates French forward Roy Contout (R) and French defender Jeremy Berthod (L) after scoring against Nancy during the French L1 football match Nancy-Auxerre at Marcel-Picot Stadium in Tomblaine. Auxerre won 1-0. (AFP/Jean-Christophe Verhaegen)