Substitute Bafetimbi Gomis scored a late equaliser to earn his side a point in the mid-table clash against Monaco.

Gomis drew his team level with just seven minutes remaining after Ernesto Chevanton had given the away side the lead at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

The result leaves both clubs on 42 points and dents their hopes of attempting a late challenge for the UEFA Cup spots.

The home side should have taken the lead in the fifth minute as a counter attack left David Hellebuyck clean through, but he fired his shot wide.

Frederic Piquionne then went close after trying his luck from long range, before Camel Meriem issued a warning to St Etienne with a shot that crept just wide of the target.

Four minutes later Olivier Kapo found himself clean through and, although he appeared to be offside, play was allowed to continue as St Etienne goalkeeper Jeremy Janot pulled off a great save.

Both sides then struggled to create any clear-cut chances as they went into the interval on level terms.

And in the 58th minute Monaco broke the deadlock as Chevanton finished well with a right foot shot from just inside the penalty area.

In the 70th minute Lucas Bernardi should have doubled Monaco's advantage as he fired wide after being put through one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

The home side pushed for the equaliser and they got themselves back on level terms as Mazure passed to Gomis who fired past the Monaco goalkeeper.

And in the last minute St Etienne almost stole the points as Piquionne's header crashed against the crossbar.