Ernesto Javier Chevanton's last-minute strike spared Monaco further embarrassment this season as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Nantes.

The Uruguayan's equaliser cancelled out Aurelien Capoue's 26th-minute opener for the visitors who looked set for a rare away success in their own miserable campaign.

The game always looked like one between two teams with nothing to play for and it wasn't until midway through the first half that either side had a meaningful attempt on goal, Monaco's top scorer Chevanton seeing his effort chalked off for offside.

Three minutes later and Marco Di Vaio forced a good punch from Nantes keeper Mickael Landreau, but almost immediately the visitors broke up the other end to open the scoring.

Defender Franck Signorino fed midfielder Capoue, who kept his composure to control the ball and fire home his third goal of the season.

Chevanton's turn and shot flew over the crossbar just before the break and the striker was at it again after the interval, this time glancing the ball off the top of the bar.

He turned provider minutes later, setting up Di Vaio whose shot was blocked by Signorino.

It was all Monaco at this stage and an equaliser looked inevitable, Di Vaio off target from Jaroslav Plasil's pass.

But as the clock ticked down, so did the home fans hopes, until Plasil and substitute David Gigliotti exchanged passes to set up Chevanton for his sixth goal in the last eight games.