TROYES: Second-division Troyes stunned Ligue 1 club Lorient 2-1 with a 90th-minute winner from 40-year-old midfielder Benjamin Nivet in their relegation playoff first leg on Thursday.

Nivet had an exceptional night, picking up the ball 25 metres out and unleashing an unstoppable shot to secure a slender advantage for Troyes, who finished third in Ligue 2, in their bid for promotion to the top flight.

Lorient, who finished third-bottom in Ligue 1, struggled to create chances in the first half with Troyes looking the more determined side.

The hosts got their reward in the 37th minute with Stephane Darbion tapping the ball in on the rebound after Lorient keeper Benjamin Lecomte saved Nivet’s close-range shot.

The visitors came close to an equaliser when Michael Ciani’s drilled header forced a reflex save from Troyes keeper Mamadou Samassa, who turned the ball over the bar.

Lorient’s Ghanaian forward Abdul Majeed Waris had more luck in the 82nd when he fired home a low shot after Troyes lost possession in their own half before Nivet got the winner and Jean-Louis Garcia’s side take a slight advantage to Brittany for Sunday’s second leg.

Strasbourg and Amiens have already been promoted to the top flight with Nancy and Bastia demoted to Ligue 2 next season.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2017