Metz 1 - 1 Stade Rennes

Metz 1-1 Rennes

Updated: January 26, 2008, 10:06 PM UK

METZ, January 26 (Ligue 1) - Rock-bottom Metz picked up just their ninth point of a dismal season on Saturday night with Momar N'Diaye's late equaliser denying Rennes.

The home side, who have not won at home for nine months, are certainties for relegation but they showed their fighting qualities by earning a share of the spoils after Olivier Thomert had put the visitors ahead after 25 minutes.

Mid-table Rennes are still hoping to break into the European qualification spots and will consider this to be two points dropped.

The outcome could have been different, however, if Wilmer Aguirre's 12th-minute shot for Metz had gone in rather than brushing the post.

Rennes hit back immediately, Sylvain Wiltord and Thomert combining to set up Mickael Pagis but his shot was smothered by home keeper Christophe Marichez.

The end-to-end nature of the game continued with Metz's Daniel Gygax somehow firing over the bar from close range when it appeared easier to score.

Back came Rennes with only a wonderful goal-line clearance from Pape Malick Diop preventing Wiltord's shot from crossing the line.

Thomert did hit the back of the net three minutes later, however.

The Metz defence conceded possession on the edge of the area and Thomert seized on the loose ball before firing past Marichez.

Thomert was denied a second after 78 minutes with Marichez making a fine low block to keep out the striker's drive.

And it was to prove a crucial save as, a minute later, Metz equalised when Gygax crossed for N'Diaye to head past Simon Pouplin.

Rennes poured forward in search of a winner but the closest they came was a Jimmy Briand shot which was superbly saved by the impressive Marichez.