Marseille handed the initiative in the Ligue 1 title race to Lille as they were held at home by struggling Auxerre. The hosts dominated but did not open the scoring until Mathieu Valbuena netted ten minutes after the break, and substitute Jung Jo-gook levelled against the run of play 14 minutes from time.

That left OM one point behind Lille, who beat Arles 5-0 yesterday, with five games to play - and with a tricky trip to third-placed Lyon next time out.

The first half was all Marseille but they failed to convert any of their chances. Jordan Ayew created an opportunity for himself in the 13th minute after taking on four of the Auxerre defence, but his goalbound effort was turned onto the post by the visiting goalkeeper Olivier Sorin.

Marseille had a penalty claim turned down a minute later when Cedric Hengbart appeared to handle the ball inside the area under pressure from Andre Ayew. 

Sorin frustrates OM
Sorin came to the visitors' rescue again after 32 minutes. Benoit Cheyrou found Lucho Gonzalez in the penalty area and he controlled before slamming a volley at goal, but the goalkeeper saved magnificently and turned the ball away for a corner.

The hosts got the goal they deserved in the 55th minute after excellent work by Andre Ayew on the left. He swung the ball into the area and a deflection off Auxerre defender Willy Boly took it to the feet of Valbuena, who was all alone at the back post. He controlled before sending Sorin the wrong way.

Four minutes later Jordan Ayew attacked down the left and played the ball towards the near post where Benoit Cheyrou arrived to strike at goal, but Sorin turned the ball away for a corner.

With their first effort of note, Auxerre levelled. Jung beat the offside trap after Gabriel Heinze hesitated and slipped the ball underneath the legs of Steve Mandanda, who had jumped, clearly expecting a lob.

Marseille had a chance to snatch the points in the last minute but Andre-Pierre Gignac headed Valbuena's corner into the arms of Sorin.