Le Guen satisfied as PSG stumble into last 16

Paris Saint-Germain's forward Bonaventure Kalou (L) celebrates with his teammate Rodriguez after scoring, during their French Cup football match PSG vs. Gueugnon, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. Paris won 1-0.

Ivory Coast forward Bonaventure Kalou spared Paris St Germain's blushes by scoring the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory over Gueugnon in the last 32 of the French Cup.

It was the capital side's first victory under new coach Paul Le Guen but was a far from impressive one at the Parc des Princes against second division opponents.

It was only Le Guen's second match and sixth day in charge of the side he once graced as a player in their heyday of the mid-1990s and he will now be sure there is a lot to do to return PSG to past glories.

But, at the very least, he did find a way to get his under-performing players to win, courtesy of Kalou's 66th minute strike.

"I am happy to have qualified, that was the primary goal," said Le Guen. "I'm also pleased to have avoided extra-time because we have a very important match on Wednesday (against Lille in the league).

"I'm satisfied, satisfied that we managed to get on top in the second half. There's no euphoria or extreme joy, just the feeling that we worked well together despite the difficult conditions.

"We had to be patient. That's two matches now that we've showed consistency. We've not conceded a goal."

And the victory went some way to banishing the memory of PSG's 2000 League Cup final defeat to the same opponents.

It was not pretty, but the players did at least fight for the win, in the only domestic competition where they have a chance of sampling success this season - they are out of the League Cup and one place above the drop zone in the league.

It was a bad day for the minnows on Saturday as they crashed out in agonising fashion.

Tiny fifth division Lyon La Duchere held the lead for three quarters of their trip to first division Sochaux but eventually lost to a goal deep into injury time.

Laon, also of the fifth division, took the lead against champions Lyon but eventually went down 3-1 as Brazilian striker Fred clinched the win for the runaway league leaders four minutes from time.

Second division Niort took Bordeaux to penalties after an injury time goal forced extra-time, but following a 3-3 draw they went out 5-4 on spot-kicks.

And last season's fairytale team Calais, of the fourth division, put up a valiant effort at home to first division Sedan before they were downed 2-1.

Third division Romorantin saw their hopes ended 2-1 at home to top flight Valenciennes while a Mamadou Niang strike in extra-time added-time gave Marseille a 1-0 win in their all-first division clash at Le Mans.

On Friday, World Cup winner Fabian Barthez conceded his first goal in Nantes's colours but still saw his side progress to the last 16 with a 3-1 win at second division Amiens.