Metz 3 : 2 Caen - Malouda gives Caen the judders

Florent Malouda's penalty gave Metz a 3-2 victory in a dramatic finale to a five-goal thriller against Caen.

Modibo Maiga's double was cancelled out by Jean Kalve and Bengali-Fode Koita as Caen levelled the scores with seven minutes left.

Alaeddine Yahia was sent off with two minutes remaining, though, and Malouda beat Remy Vercoutre from the resulting spot-kick to earn Metz all three points.

Home keeper Johann Carrasso made an early save from Mathieu Duhamel following good work by Herve Bazile, but it was Metz who took a ninth-minute lead through Maiga.

Sergey Krivets and Malouda combined to create the chance, the latter crossing for the Mali striker to beat Vercoutre from close range.

Ahmed Kashi went desperately close to a second in the 20th minute when his 25-yard drive crashed back off the top of a post.

Lenny Nangis forced another sharp save out of Carrasso and it remained 1-0 until five minutes after half-time.

Again Krivets started the move, picking out Kevin Lejeune whose crossed was well controlled by Maiga before he sent a ferocious left-foot shot whistling past Vercoutre.

The keeper was helpless on that occasion but made a good save shortly afterwards when Maiga this time dummied Malouda's cross and Guirane N'Daw fired at goal.

There had been little to suggest a Caen comeback was in the offing but in the 65th minute, Calve curled home a delightful free-kick after Lejeune fouled Bazile.

And Koita appeared to have earned them a share of the the spoils when he met substitute Florian Raspentino's cross with a thundering header past Carrasso at the back post.

But Maiga won the crucial penalty when he was brought down by last man Yahia and Malouda waited for Vercoutre to commit himself before firing straight down the middle from 12 yards.

The result leaves promoted Metz in eighth place, level on points with Monaco and only three points outside the top four.