PARIS (AFP) - Goals from Eric Carriere, Seydou Keita and Issam Jemaa lifted Lens back into second place in the French league with a 3-1 win at Valenciennes as Lille were held to a goalless draw at home by Nantes.

A Carriere header after 28 minutes put Lens ahead, with Keita strengthening their grip on the game with a volley just before the half-time whistle.

Steve Savidan pulled a goal back for Valenciennes with a 61st-minute penalty before Jemaa completed the scoreline four minutes into injury time.

Lens leapfrog Lille who drop to third one point behind.

Champions Lyon travel to lowly Troyes on Sunday with an 11-point cushion.

Misfiring Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie let a string of chances slip by as Lille stumbled for the second time in a week at home to lowly Nantes, after being eliminated from the French Cup by the Canaries midweek.

Nantes, without injured midfielder Emerse Fae and first choice goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, were content to sit back and defend, but despite dominating Lille failed to break through with Odemwingie missing five chances to score.

Nantes goalie Tony Heurtebis did well to stop Mathieu Bodmer scoring his ninth goal of the season after 53 minutes just minutes before the Lille midfielder was stretchered off with a sprained ankle.

The injury is a blow for Lille ahead of potentially key ties against Lyon and then Manchester United in the Champions League later this month.

"We put up a good fight but weren´t rewarded," said Lille coach Claude Puel.

Nantes coach Georges Eo was jubilant, despite the fact that his team remain third from bottom in the relegation zone.

"We were ready to defend against a side that were out for revenge. I´m particularly satisfied with this result," said Eo.

Tailenders Sedan, meanwhile, achieved just their third win of the season with a well deserved 2-1 success at Saint-Etienne.

Bafetimbi Gomis opened the scoring after 10 minutes before Joseph-Desire Job equalised for Sedan three minutes into the second half. A Lamine Diatta own goal after 72 minutes handed the three points to Sedan.

Saint-Etienne drop to sixth to swap places with Sochaux, who were held 0-0 by visiting Rennes.

Elsewhere Monaco won 2-1 at home against Auxerre with Lorient beating Le Mans by the same scoreline. Nancy achieved their first win of the year, beating Toulouse 2-1.

On Sunday, Marseille host Paul Le Guen´s Paris St Germain, still looking for their first league win under the former Lyon and Rangers boss.