ES Troyes AC 0 - 0 Monaco: Frustrating night for Monaco against 10-man Troyes

Monaco endured a frustrating night at Stade de l'Aube as 10-man Troyes produced a gutsy performance to claim a hard-earned point.

The visitors, knocked out of the Coupe de la Ligue this week by Bordeaux, missed an early penalty but basement club Troyes deservedly held on as the game finished goalless.

Monaco should have taken the lead when Mouhamadou Dabo barged into the back of Helder Costa in just the third minute.

The referee had no option but to award a penalty and show a red card to the Troyes defender, but Lacina Traore's tame effort was easily saved by Paul Bernardoni.

Monaco dominated possession and Bernardoni had to be alert to keep out Fabinho's effort low down at his near post in the 24th minute.

Traore missed another great chance from close range following more good work from Fabinho, who was a real threat in the first half, and was unable to hit the target with a header early in the second period.

Thomas Lemar went close with a deflected effort and Helder Costa volleyed over from inside the area.

But Troyes, bottom of Ligue 1 without a win this season, began to grow in confidence and offer a threat on the counter-attack, with Lossemy Karaboue and Matthieu Saunier testing the Monaco defence in the latter stages.

The result has moved Monaco up to second in the table, a point above Angers.