Relegation-threatened Auxerre withstood a battering to snatch a 1-0 home win against Montpellier despite being outclassed at the Stade de l'Abbe-Deschamps.

The hosts went into the match 15th in Ligue 1 and just one point above the relegation zone, but survived Montpellier's bombardment before Roy Contout came up with an undeserved winner.

In the seventh minute Montpellier's Marco Estrada crossed for Olivier Giroud who controlled the ball well before shooting, with Olivier Sorin saving. A drab first half was punctuated when the visitors had another chance in the 25th minute. Geoffrey Dernis took a corner which found Souleymane Camara and the striker's header went just over the bar.

The half-time whistle came as a relief to all following such a dearth of quality. The second half began much brighter, albeit not for the hosts who remained on the back foot. Camara had an immediate chance, but saw his shot deflected away. A minute later, Estrada's well-placed free-kick was met by Camara, but his header was palmed away by Sorin.

Auxerre had their first chance in the 61st minute. Willy Boly was played in well, but with only Geoffrey Jourdren to beat he somehow contrived to shoot over the bar.

Five minutes later the effervescent Camara had another chance, but smashed his powerful volley just wide. In the 70th minute Estrada was again involved as he punted towards Olivier Giroud. He then headed towards Dernis who smashed an excellent volley off the post with Sorin beaten.

And 13 minutes from time they were punished as Auxerre snatched the win. Substitute Delvin Ndinga played in Jung Jo-gook and when he raced forwards and crossed, Benjamin Stambouli fluffed his clearance to allow Contout to beat Jourdren from close range.