Ligue 1 Wrap: Ajaccio relegated, Monaco secure top-three spot

Ajaccio’s three-year stay in Ligue 1 is over after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Corsican rivals Bastia confirmed their relegation.

Having won only three games all season, Christian Bracconi needed a miraculous end to the season to stand a chance of survival, but they were condemned to the second division by former defender Sebastien Squillaci.

Aboubacar Camara gave Ajaccio a fighting chance as they took a fourth-minute lead.

However, Florian Raspentino levelled just after the half hour and Squillaci sealed victory for Bastia with two minutes remaining to seal the visitors’ fate.

Fellow strugglers Valenciennes remain in serious danger of joining Ajaccio after a heavy 6-2 home defeat to Nantes, a result that leaves them six points from safety with four games remaining.

Sochaux were the big winners at the bottom as they extended their unbeaten record to four games with a second successive win.

Sebastien Corchia’s third goal of the campaign was enough to record a 1-0 victory over Reims, and move Sochaux to within two points of safety.

At the top, Monaco secured a return to the UEFA Champions League with a 1-0 win over Nice.

Dimitar Berbatov’s fifth goal in nine appearances gave Claudio Ranieri’s side victory, the Bulgarian perfectly executing a lob over David Ospina, returning the club to Europe’s top table for the first time since 2004-05.

Lille moved seven points clear in the third and final Champions League berth with a goalless draw against Marseille, a result that does nothing to help Jose Anigo’s side and their late push for a Europa League place next season.

Bordeaux sent Coupe de France finalists Guingamp to a fifth straight league defeat with Cheick Diabate starring for Francis Gillot’s men as they won 5-1.

The Mali striker took his season’s tally to 11 with a first-half hat-trick that leaves Guingamp just two points above the drop zone, with Sochaux snapping at their heels.

Meanwhile, there was an eight-goal thriller at Stade Yves Allainmat as Lorient drew 4-4 with Montpellier.

With nine minutes to play Montpellier, leading 4-1, looked on course for victory but Lorient scored three goals in the dying embers – Vincent Aboubakar netting twice in stoppage time – to deny them victory and secure a point.