AS Nancy Lorraine  3 - 1  AS Saint-Etienne

THE MATCH

Bottom at the start of the day, Nancy knew the best they could hope for was a play-off berth and a second bitE at beating the drop. To do that they had to win at home to a Saint-Etienne side playing their final game under Christophe Galtier, and they went on to fulfil their part of the bargain at the Stade Marcel-Picot.

Nancy went ahead on 17 minutes, Alexis Busin finishing through the legs of Stéphane Ruffier for his first Ligue 1 goal after the ball broke to him inside the area, and things were looking good for them when Modou Diagne headed home from a corner to make it 2-0 just before the hour mark.

With Michel Platini, who played for both clubs, watching on from the stands, Saint-Etienne pulled one back on 74 minutes, 18-year-old Arnaud Nordin beating Guy Roland Ndy Assembé at his near post to score his second goal of the campaign. But Nancy made sure of the win with eight minutes left as Jérémy Clément inadvertently headed the ball on for Faitout Maouassa (pictured) to run through and score.

A first win in six outings proved too little, too late for Nancy, though as FC Lorient's draw at home to Girondins de Bordeaux ensured they go into a two-legged play-off against ESTAC Troyes, who came third in Ligue 2. They go straight back down, while Sainté end the season in eighth place.

THE PLAYER: Alexis Busin

The 21-year-old forward grabbed his first Ligue 1 goal to set Nancy on their way to victory, but it will be in Ligue 2 that the Lorraine side are plying their trade next season.

THE STAT: 3

Nancy's relegation means that is now three seasons in a row that the club promoted as champions of Ligue 2 has gone straight back down after FC Metz and Troyes before them. RC Strasbourg beware in 2017-18!