Le Mans 2 - 2 Stade Rennes

Le Mans 2-2 Stade Rennes

Updated: March 14, 2009, 9:01 PM UK

Thorstein Helstad and Gervinho had put the hosts in the driving seat, but Rennes turned the match around in the second half and Kembo Ekoko reduced arrears before Moussa Sow rescued a draw in stoppage time.

Rennes sit seventh, but just six points behind leaders Lyon in a congested group of European challengers.

Le Mans will be disappointed with the result, but they remain unbeaten in five matches under new coach Daniel Jeandupeux.

The hosts needed just two minutes to find the target through Helstad. Roland Lamah's header was punched away by Nicolas Douchez but only as far as the Norwegian striker, who had the easiest of tap-ins.

Le Mans then doubled their advantage after 18 minutes with Gervinho embarking on a mazy run into the area before slipping the ball beyond the reach of Douchez.

Rennes seemed shellshocked, but slowly regrouped and could have scored after 34 minutes only for Olivier Thomert's close-range effort to be cleared off the line by defender Antonio Geder.

Le Mans goalkeeper Yohann Pele then maintained their two-goal cushion at half-time by fisting away Romain Danze's volley.

Rennes continued to push forward in numbers after the interval and Jerome Leroy was the next player to see his lob swept off the line, this time by Gregory Cerdan.

A goal eventually arrived for the visitors after 75 minutes when Ekobo scored a stunning solo effort, darting into the penalty area before finishing with a powerful shot into the top corner.

Sow then made Rennes' second-half dominance count, tapping into an empty net in stoppage time after Pele had left his line to deal with Leroy's cross.