Rennes blasted four second-half goals to secure an emphatic 6-2 victory at Sochaux tonight and put the pressure on early Ligue 1 leaders Montpellier.

Colombian Victor Montano led the rout with a brace as the home side, who had twice hit back in the first period to draw level, capitulated after the break.

It was the ideal way to bounce back for Frederic Antonetti's side, whose pursuit of top spot had faltered on Sunday when they had been held at home by rock-bottom Nancy.

Montano put Rennes in front in the 22nd minute from the penalty spot after Mathieu Peybernes brought down Julien Feret in the box.

However, the home side were level within a minute when Edouard Butin raced onto the end of a Ryad Boudebouz through ball and fired the equaliser past Benoit Costin.

Rennes were back in front in the 35th minute when Jean Kana Biyik met Feret's free-kick in the box with a powerful header, but Sochaux grabbed another quick leveller, this time through Modibo Maiga.

Feret put the visitors back in front five minutes into the second half, but Sochaux came close to grabbing a third equaliser when Maiga forced an excellent save out of Costin.

Rennes' second penalty of the night, this time scored by Youssouf Hadji on 68 minutes, put the game beyond the home side, and two minutes later Montano made it 5-2 after a superb dribble into the box.

Antonetti's men completed their impressive work in injury time when Jires Kembo-Ekoko scored the sixth with a superb lob over helpless Sochaux keeper Teddy Richert from the edge of the box.