Ligue 1: Rennes 2 Saint-Etienne 2

Saint-Etienne failed to move into the Champions League qualification places after being held to a 2-2 draw at Rennes in Ligue 1 action on Friday.

Christophe Galtier’s men were staring at a 2-1 defeat but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 65th-minute strike salvaged a point for the visitors.

The result leaves Saint-Etienne one point adrift of third-placed Marseille and six points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain, while Rennes occupy eighth place.

Rennes, who went into the match looking to snap a four-game winless streak, took a surprise lead on the stroke of half-time.

Romain Danze headed past goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier for the opening goal but Saint-Etienne responded within a matter of seconds through Yohan Mollo.

Aubameyang created space for Mollo and the French winger, on loan from Nancy, fired the ball into the roof of the net.

The hosts restored their one-goal lead six minutes into the second half when Julien Feret found the back of the net after a swift counter attack.

Not to be outdone, Saint-Etienne, for the second time in the game, levelled proceedings on 65 minutes following Aubameyang’s 16th league goal of the season.