FRANCE
Marseille held by Ajaccio and lose further ground in Ligue 1
A deeply frustrating season continued for Marseille on Wednesday as they threw away a lead before drawing 1-1 at Ligue 1 strugglers Gazelec Ajaccio in Corsica.
It looked as if Marseille would leave with a much-needed win when Remy Cabella put them ahead 10 minutes from time at the tiny Stade Ange-Casanova, but Mohamed Larbi levelled shortly after for the hosts.
Michel's side have lost just once in their last 16 league games, but too many draws look to have severely damaged their chances of qualifying for Europe next season.
While they have not won a home league game since September, their away form has been much better and they looked to have ground out three points on a dreadful playing surface when Cabella struck late on.
The native Corsican collected a pass from Michy Batshuayi and dribbled round Gazelec goalkeeper Clement Maury before slotting in.
But in a game that was postponed 10 days ago due to a waterlogged pitch, Gazelec claimed a precious point in their fight against the drop when a Larbi free-kick from wide on the left evaded everyone on its way in.
They are now just two points adrift of safety although they have still not won a league game in 2016.
One other match was played in Ligue 1 on Wednesday, also in Corsica, with Nantes missing the chance to reel in some of the sides above them in the fight for European qualification in a 0-0 draw at Bastia.