Sochaux recorded their third straight win today with a 2-1 victory over Valenciennes at Stade Auguste Bonal today.

A first-half strike from Carlao was added to by Modibo Maiga after the break to put the home side in control, and Sanchez Moreno's goal was not enough to earn the visitors a share of the spoils.

Valenciennes have won just once on the road this season and their hopes of adding a second tonight were dealt an early blow as Carlao gave the home side a 15th-minute lead with his first goal in the top flight. Marvin Martin whipped in a free-kick from the left and Carlao was on hand to volley the ball home at the far post.

Maiga could have doubled the lead six minutes later but blazed over, and he then saw Valenciennes keeper Nicolas Penneteau make a sharp save to deny him. Martin volleyed wide as the hosts continued to pile on the pressure, with the visitors barely threatening.

Nicolas Maurice-Belay carved out a great chance for himself early in the second stanza as he dribbled into the area, but Penneteau was equal to his shot. Penneteau then made another superb save to keep out Ideye Brown's header, but the pressure finally told in the 56th minute.

Ideye's superb pass sent Maiga racing clear and he rounded Penneteau to roll the ball into the empty net. But if Sochaux thought they had the points secured they were made to think again as Valenciennes hit back in the 66th minute. Jeremy Brechet's poor clearance was seized upon by Moreno, who steadied himself before firing past Pierrick Cros.

The visitors pushed on in search of an equaliser and Gael Danic forced an athletic save from Cros after being teed up by Nam Tae-hee. Danic then wasted an even better chance to earn his side a point as Cros denied him from almost point-blank range after he latched onto Rudy Mater's cross.