Antoine Kombouare's Lens side threw away a precious point in their quest for Ligue 1 survival as substitute Nicolas Maurice-Belay's goal deep into second-half injury time rescued a 2-1 win for Bordeaux at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.
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Henri Saivet's powerful long-range free kick was kept out by Rudy Riou on 15 minutes, but the Lens goalkeeper clashed with the post in making the save.
However, Riou recovered with a smart stop to keep out Bordeaux's top scorer Diego Rolan, who had pounced on the rebound.
Lens should have gone ahead when a poor Bordeaux goal kick allowed the visitors to launch a swift attack that culminated with Alharbi El Jadeyaoui firing high and wide at the back post with the goal at his mercy.
Kombouare's side thought that their profligacy had been punished when Diego Contento curled home from Isaac Kiese Thelin's layoff on the hour mark, but his effort was ruled out for offside by referee Philippe Kalt.
Gregory Sertic then fired a 25-yard strike at Riou as Bordeaux went in search of a winner, before Thelin was inches away from connecting with Andre Biyogo Poko's enticing right-wing cross.
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Bordeaux got their breakthrough when a quickly-taken throw-in caused chaos in the Lens box, with the ball finally falling for Mariano to squeeze a shot under Riou at the near post to put the home side ahead nine minutes from time.
Lens refused to concede defeat, however, and were level just five minutes later when Cedric Yambere's stumble allowed Pablo Chavarria to collect a long ball forward and fire beyond Cedric Carrasso for his fifth goal of the season.
However, Maurice-Belay then struck in the 93rd minute to crush Lens and leave Kombouare's side rooted to the bottom of the Ligue 1 table with seven games of the season remaining.
Joe Sharratt
