Lorient 2 : 0 Bastia - Lorient boosted by win

Posted Sunday, March 01, 2015 by PA

Lorient boosted their Ligue 1 survival hopes with a 2-0 win at home to in-form Bastia.

Francois Bellugou headed the opener for the hosts in the 16th minute and substitute Gianni Bruno sealed the win five minutes from time, but the hosts also had goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte to thank for a string of saves.

Victory moved Lorient two points clear of the bottom three and just two points behind Bastia, who saw their run of three straight league wins ended.

The visitors had the first chance when Francois Modesto set up Ryad Boudebouz inside the area, but his fierce shot was superbly pushed away by Lecomte.

Instead Lorient went in front as Bellugou, on the run, powered a header into the net from a Raphael Guerreiro corner.

Lecomte saved well from Gael Danic, while his opposite number Alphonse Areola had to be alert to punch away a Jordan Ayew effort from 20 yards.

Bastia had the last chance of the first time, but again could not find a way past Lecomte, who saved Giovanni Sio's low shot.

The Lorient keeper was having an inspired afternoon and he got down well to save Danic's snapshot early in the second half.

Ayew headed just over the top at the far post and Romain Philippoteaux fired a low shot wide as Lorient threatened a second.

And it arrived five minutes from time.

Bruno, who had only come on six minutes earlier, almost passed up the opportunity when his poor control in the area gave Sebastien Squillaci the chance to clear, but the defender failed to do so and Bruno made no mistake this time to score with a low shot.