Two goals in the space of nine second-half minutes ensured Saint-Etienne and Valenciennes played out a 1-1 draw that does little to help either.

Gregory Pujol put the away side ahead just after half-time but Dimitri Payet levelled for Saint-Etienne, keeping his side's hopes of breaking into Ligue 1's top four alive.

Valenciennes started well, with Mathieu Dossevi bringing a first-minute save out of Jeremie Janot. The goalkeeper was called into action again shortly after, doing well to tip Renaud Cohade's free-kick over the bar.

St Etienne began to grow into the game, though, with Bakary Sako picking up the ball, beating two defenders and then fizzing a drive inches over.

Payet then got in on the act, controlling on the edge of the area and then curling a sumptuous effort against the bar.

Payet's deliveries were causing Valenciennes all sorts of problems and, on the stroke of half-time, his cross was met by Emmanuel Riviere, who put the ball wide.

Four minutes after the break, though, Valenciennes were ahead. Pujol was left free on the edge of the home penalty area and, after receiving possession, turned and slammed past Janot, who did well to get a fingertip to his strike.

The lead only lasted nine minutes, however, as Payet brought down Laurent Batlles' long pass and left Nicolas Penneteau with no chance with a well-placed shot.

The drama was finished after that, with Janot having the last word, doing well to keep out a cross-shot from Dossevi.