RENNES, Apr 9 (SW) - Rennes climbed up to the coveted third place in Ligue 1 on Sunday as they defeated Sochaux with a late penalty kick. Elsewhere, Le Mans held Auxerre to a draw at the Stade l'Abbé-Deschamps.

Rennes - Sochaux 2-1

Swedish starlet Kim Källström gave Rennes the lead after just five minutes, but a Souleymane Diawara equalizer in the 21st minute canceled out that opener and leveled the score for Sochaux.

However, with ten minutes to play, Jean Calve was sent off by referee Fredy Fautrel for handling on the goalline, and Källström converted the penalty to give Rennes the victory, allowing them to leapfrog Lille into pole position for the final Champions League spot in France.

Auxerre - Le Mans 0-0

Auxerre could have stayed within a point of Rennes and stayed in contention themselves for the Champions League, but they were held by a feisty Le Mans club, desperate to get into the UEFA Cup.

Auxerre are now sixth on 53 points with Le Mans in ninth place, a further four points back.