Le Mans 0 - 1 Lorient

Le Mans 0-1 Lorient

Updated: August 9, 2008, 11:27 PM UK

LE MANS, August 9 (Ligue 1) - Lorient made a winning start to the new Ligue 1 campaign, downing Le Mans in the season-opener on Saturday.

Christophe Jallet scored from the penalty spot in the 58th minute to earn all three points for the visitors.

There was little action in the first half and it was 15 minutes before either side had an attempt on goal, Mathieu Coutadeur shooting wide from just outside the box.

Antonio Camilo Malta Geder missed with a header minutes later from a cross from Coutadeur, who was the orchestrator of most of Le Mans' attacking play.

He went close again when he dragged a shot wide of the right post from the middle of the box, and Lorient eventually mustered a shot when Kevin Gameiro fired wide minutes before half-time.

Coutadeur went close again after the break with another long-range shot but chances were at a premium.

Lorient broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 58th minute. Alphousseyni Keita fouled Gameiro in the box and Jallet despatched the resulting spot-kick into the top left-hand corner.

Michael Ciani missed a header which would have doubled Lorient's lead in the 74th minute and Gamerio was equally profligate a minute later when he fired over from close range.

Le Mans forward Anthony Le Tallec's late attempt was saved and Lorient held on for all three points.