Auxerre came from 2-0 behind to secure a point in a pulsating 2-2 draw with Lille on Saturday.
It was the home side who dominated the early stages of the match, and they so nearly took the lead after 10 minutes when Benoit Pedretti struck a shot from distance, but it was blocked by Willy Boly.
Lille continued to dominate proceedings as the match progressed and Eden Hazard and Joe Cole both brought the best out of Olivier Sorin at the mid-point of the half.
Florent Balmont was next to go close for the home side after good work from Hazard, but his effort drifted just wide.
Auxerre's best chance of the half fell to Dariusz Dudka after 30 minutes, but his shot was pushed away by Mickael Landreau.
Hazard handed Lille the lead with a fine free kick after 34 minutes, but the home side were reduced to ten men before the break when Mauro Cetto was shown a red card.
Lille extended their lead to 2-0 after 63 minutes when Hazard converted a penalty after Boly had brought down the Belgian in the area.
It got worse for the away side moments later when Anthony Le Tallec was dismissed from play after a foul on Pedretti.
Auxerre found a late flurry, however, bringing the score to 2-1 with a strike from Ben Sahar after 80 minutes.
The away side found an equaliser late on courtesy of Cedric Hengbart who headed home a Sahar corner much to the frustration of the home crowd.
Lille remain in third, while Auxerre sit 19th.
Matt Law
