Honours finished even in the battle of the UEFA Cup hopefuls as Le Mans fought back to earn a point against Marseille at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday.

Toifilou Maoulida had opened the scoring for the Mediterranean giants in the 23rd minute but they were pegged back 11 minutes later when James Fanchone powered home the equaliser.

The result sees Marseille slip two spots to seventh in the Ligue 1 table but they remain just two points adrift of fourth-placed Auxerre.

Le Mans are also in the hunt for a European place and lie two points further back in eighth with six games remaining.

Visiting goalkeeper Yohann Pele did superbly to defy Wilson Oruma in the sixth minute but he was partially to blame for Maoulida's opener 17 minutes later.

Franck Ribery's cross from the right was touched out by the fingertips of the diving Pele to the feet of the striker, who thrashed a shot home from close range.

Le Mans hit back and after Fanchone saw a 30th-minute shot saved by Cedric Carrasso, the same striker went one better when he got on the end of a Grafite cross to force a powerful effort into the corner of the net.

Marseille wasted chances to go back in front either side of the break, with Sabri Lamouchi's long-ranger going straight at Pele and Maoulida's header from a Lamouchi free-kick drifting just off target.

Le Mans finished the stronger, Daisuke Matsui shooting just wide in the 62nd minute before Frederic Thomas shaved the post following Fanchone's free-kick with just seconds remaining.