Monaco held by Toulouse

Lens's defender Charles Coridon (L) vies with Lyon's midfielder Juninho during their French L1 match at Felix Bollaert stadium in Lens

Monaco stumbled again in their bid to win the French title when they failed to pick up maximum points at struggling Toulouse.

But after coming away from the Pyrenean city with a 1-1 draw, Didier Deschamps' side were at least comforted by news from Lens where their main title rivals Lyon were held by an identical scoreline.

That left Monaco four points clear of the reigning champions, but a win for Paris Saint Germain at Auxerre Sunday would cut their advantage to a slender three points.

Monaco coach Didier Deschamps said: "We should have won this match but in the end the draw is positive because Lyon also drew and so that made a satisfying evening."

Monaco, who picked up a crucial away goal in their Champions League second round first leg tie at Real Sociedad on Tuesday, found themselves behind after Sylvain Didot's header sailed over keeper Flavio Roma and into the visitor's net with the second half only a minute old.

But Monaco ensured a share of the points when Vassilis Zikos' cross found Gael Givet and his resulting header sailed past Christophe Revault, the Toulouse captain, in goal.

In Lens, Lyon had taken the lead after half an hour through Vikash Dhorasoo and were heading for a win until Wagneau Eloi, who joined Lens on a six-month contract in January, struck with a free kick to level the match.

Monaco's forward Fernando Morientes (L) vies whith Toulouse's midfielder Florent Balmont (R) during their L1 football match at the Stadium in Toulouse

Bottom club Le Mans will have considered themselves unlucky not to beat Rennes. Le Mans were 2-1 up until Rennes' Lamine Diatta got the equalizer in the final minute.

Montpellier's own relegation worries increased when the second from bottom club lost 2-0 at home to Lille.

Elsewhere Nantes and Strasbourg ended one apiece while the Guingamp v Metz fixture was postponed.

Sunday's four-match programme headed by PSG versus Auxerre also sees Ajaccio in action against Bordeaux, Marseille travelling to Nice and high flyers Sochaux hosting Bastia.