Missed penalties cost Montpellier against Bordeaux

(GSM) – Surprise French side Montpellier remained level on points with Bordeaux atop Ligue 1 on Sunday as Alberto Costa’s late equalizer earned them a 1-1 draw at Stade Chaban-Delmas.

Bordeaux were up against it in the 32nd minute when defender Mickaël Ciani earned a straight red card for hauling down Víctor Montano in the area.

The resulting penalty from Costa, however, was nicely saved by Bordeaux goalkeeper Cédric Carrasso.

Montpellier then had another spot kick in the 41st minute after a Bordeaux handball, but Montano was denied at the second attempt after his first was disallowed for an illegal approach to the ball.

The misses cost the visitors dearly in the 59th minute when Marouane Chamakh scored for Bordeaux from 17 yards out.

Montpellier – who were only promoted from Ligue 2 after last season – fought back valiantly and finally got their deserved goal in added time as Montano hit a brilliant free kick beyond the otherwise-superb Carrasso.

Despite the two sides being level on points, Bordeaux are well ahead of Montpellier on goal difference, and the defending champions also have two games in hand.