Bordeaux missed the opportunity to cut the gap with Ligue 1 leaders Lyon to one point when they were held 0-0 at home by Lille.

Les Girondins remain second in the standings with 49 points from 26 games, trailing Lyon by three points after the six-times champions beat bottom club Metz 2-0 on Saturday.

Lille, who have a game in hand, move up one spot to 14th on 32 points.

The northerners had the clearest chance in a dull encounter 11 minutes from time when a Stephane Lichsteiner attempt was parried away by Bordeaux 'keeper Ulrich Rame.

Earlier on Sunday, Marseille's hopes of clinching a Champions League spot suffered a setback when they were held to a goalless draw at strugglers Toulouse.

The Provence side remain fifth with 39 points, 10 adrift of Bordeaux.

Toulouse, with 28 points, stay in the relegation zone in 18th place.

Marseille started the game with leading strikers Djibril Cisse and Mamadou Niang on the bench, three days after qualifying for the last 16 of the UEFA Cup despite losing 2-0 at Spartak Moscow.

Eric Gerets's side dominated throughout but failed to break the deadlock although Cisse and Niang came off the bench in the 46th and 66th minutes respectively.

Cisse had two clear chances in the closing stages but was denied by Toulouse 'keeper Nicolas Douchez.

Reuters