PARIS (AFP) - Carlos Henrique scored a last minute header to give Bordeaux the first piece of silverware in France this season as they beat champions Lyon 1-0 in the League Cup final here Saturday.

Lyon were looking to the League Cup to provide some much needed solace after being dumped out of the Champions League by Roma in the first knockout round this month and out of the French Cup in January by Marseille.

But in front of a 79,000 crowd at the Stade de France it was Bordeaux who took the title thanks to Henrique's late intervention.

The 23-year-old Brazilian, who joined Bordeaux from Flamingo in 2005, stunned the French champions with what was effectively Bordeaux's only real attacking move in a final that could hardly be described as memorable.

Second string Lyon keeper Remi Vercoutre did not have to get his hands dirty until the 90th minute when he was foiled by Henrique who converted with his head off a corner taken by Johan Micoud.

Bordeaux's defensive tactics sat uneasily with their manager Ricardo's pre-match assertion that "We'll have to take risks".

And his Lyon counterpart Gerard Houllier could barely believe his eyes at the unsatisfactory not to say unexpected ending.

"I feel this is a cruel injustice for my players. They didn't get their reward for taking risks," said the former Liverpool boss.

"Bordeaux are formidable winners, we were beaten, but it was like a 'hold-up'."

Ricardo was unfazed with the manner in which victory was achieved.

"Lyon may have been the stronger team but the Cup is ours!" he said.

"We played within our means. it's true we weren't in a position to impose our game on them. There were lots of errors - but it's a cup final," he added.

At least Houllier's men, who were by far the more adventurous of the two sides, have the consolation of a record sixth successive league title well within their grasp - they hold a 16 point advantage with nine games to go.

"The league title is the important thing," said the Lyon manager.

"We were knocked out of the Champions League but that competition is so random, for instance there's only one quarter-finalist - AC Milan - left in it from last season."

Bordeaux, who were claiming their first silverware since winning this competition in 2002, are qualified for the UEFA Cup and will now set their sights on the more lucrative Champions League by defending their third place in the league.

The match was attended by 20-year-old reserve firefighter Anthony Rocko, who last October lost two fingers when he picked up a fire cracker thrown onto the pitch during a match between Nice and Marseille.