A disappointing week ended on a losing note for Marseille as they were beaten 1-0 by Monaco in the Cote d'Azur derby match.

Ernesto Javier Chevanton's strike separated the clubs as Marseille lost yet more points having had one taken away by disciplinary chiefs this week for the controversy surrounding their 0-0 draw with Paris St Germain earlier this season, although both clubs are appealing that decision.

Marseille started the brighter and Franck Ribery created a chance for Toifilou Maoulida who shot too high.

At the other end goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, playing against one of his former clubs, did well to parry a Marco Di Vaio shot and Frederic Dehu scrambled away the loose ball.

The goal came after 28 minutes as Di Vaio worked the ball to Camel Meriem whose cross was headed by the Uruguayan international Chevanton past a static Barthez.

Dehu rescued Marseille again with a tackle to foil Di Vaio who had only Barthez to beat but dallied too long.

In the second half Marseille striker Mamadou Niang beat two defenders before firing in a shot but the ball drifted agonisingly by Flavio Roma's left-hand post.

Barthez then blocked Di Vaio as Monaco went looking for another goal before Maicon worked a one-two with Meriem whose shot flew past the goal guarded by the France goalkeeper.

Roma came to the rescue for Monaco when he pushed away a well-struck shot from Maoulida but at the other end Barthez was relieved to watch a shot from Monaco substitute Olivier Veigneau go wide.

Marseille had one late chance to equalise with a flowing move.

Ribery whipped the ball into the Monaco area and Francois Modesto only managed to half clear.

Pagis met the ball with a stinging volley which Roma was able to save to secure a win that will be one of the highlights of what has been a poor season for Francesco Guidolin's side.