Stade Reims 1 : 0 Montpellier - Moukandjo nets superb late winner

Posted Sunday, October 26, 2014 by PA

Benjamin Moukandjo's last-gasp strike gave Reims a 1-0 win over Montpellier at the Stade Auguste Delaune as they moved four points clear of the Ligue 1 drop zone.

Moukandjo's brilliant solo effort in the 90th minute was worthy of winning any match, but Montpellier boss Rolland Courbis will feel aggrieved after his side were on top for long periods and had responded well to their 5-1 hammering at Lyon last time out.

The victory moves Reims up to 13th place and level on points with Montpellier, who have now gone five matches without keeping a clean sheet.

Before the game Courbis stressed that it was important his side worked to rebuild their confidence and they looked to have taken his words to heart as they came flying out of the blocks.

Mathieu Deplagne worked Reims keeper Johny Placide from distance in the six minute, while Hilton's header from a corner skimmed past a post five minutes later with Placide beaten.

Montpellier keeper Geoffrey Jourdren did well to block from Odair Fortes shortly after, but he was otherwise rarely troubled before the break.

Courbis' side picked up where they left off after the interval, with Placide once again forced to make a pair of top quality saves to twice deny Kevin Berigauds around the hour-mark as Montpellier surged forwards but struggled to find a way through.

Their best chance to clinch the points themselves came 10 minutes from time Jonas Martin found Siaka Tiene unmarked in the box, only for the Ivorian to hook his shot wide.

But just when it looked like La Paillade would at least have a point for their efforts, Reims substitute Moukandjo produced the only true piece of quality of the match in the dying moments.

The 25-year-old Cameroon international flicked the ball out of the air exquisitely, and with Montpellier's defence standing off him, he stroked it into the top corner on the half-volley.