Abdoulrazak Boukari scored against his former club as Rennes saw off the challenge of Lens to take top spot in the Ligue 1 table. Boukari only made the move to Stade de la Route de Lorient in January, but fired Rennes in front tonight before Victor Hugo Montano wrapped up the points in the second half.

The win moves Rennes one point ahead of the chasing pack, but it may only be a short stay as nearest challengers Lille play Lyon tomorrow.

Lens almost went ahead after ten minutes but Sebastien Roudet curled his cross-shot just wide of the mark. And the visitors were trailing four minutes later when Boukari plotted a route through the Lens defence before planting a powerful shot into the top corner from 18 yards.

Rennes then took control of the match and goalkeeper Vedran Runje had to come to the rescue of Lens on the half-hour to block a shot from Alexander Tettey. Montano also had Runje at full stretch six minutes later with his 20-yard drive, and the Colombian striker gave the Lens goalkeeper more work to do six minutes after the restart with a low shot which was also turned away.

Jerome Leroy was the next player to try his luck for Rennes, racing into the penalty area before seeing his strike blocked by Runje. But the home side finally got the goal their pressure deserved after 70 minutes. Leroy began the move with a ball to Montano which the striker volleyed beyond the reach of Runje.

Lens had a chance to get themselves on the scoresheet six minutes from time but Raphael Varane's left-footed shot was palmed away by Nicolas Douchez.