Coupe de France Results: Saint-Etienne eliminate Lille as Ligue 1 sides avoid giantkilling

28/02/2013 10:00:00 AM

Les Verts' fine season continued as they dumped out the 2011 winners 3-2 on Tuesday evening, while struggling Evian and Troyes also join them in the quarter-finals

SAINT-ETIENNE 3-2 LOSC LILLE METROPOLE

Saint-Etienne's aim of reaching both domestic cup finals this season continues after a narrow 3-2 victory over Lille at Stade Geoffrey Guichard on Tuesday.

The Rhone outfit's remarkable season continues following their progression to the Coupe de la Ligue final in April, but they blossomed in this competition too despite an early setback when Marko Basa directed in the opener for the visitors.

The hosts levelled in bizarre circumstances, when Aurelien Chedjou put through his own net after a wayward goal-kick, before Sainte rallied through further goals from Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Brandao in the second half.

Salomon Kalou turned in a consolation for Rudi Garcia's side to ensure a grandstand finish, after Stephane Ruffier parried into the path of the Cote d'Ivoire international, but Christophe Galtier's side held out to progress to the last eight.

SOCHAUX 1-2 ESTAC TROYES

Troyes won the battle of the struggling league outfits as they sprung a surprise 2-1 win away at Sochaux to qualify for the Coupe de France quarter-finals.

With the visitors languishing in the relegation zone, a decent cup run would go far in alleviating some of the problems at Stade de l'Aube, with Jean-Christophe Bahebeck - on loan from Paris Saint-Germain - opening the scoring after just 10 minutes.

Despite various chances, the result was made safe a minute before time when Julien Faussurier made it 2-0, with Ryad Boudebouz's stoppage-time penalty proving to be a mere footnote as Troyes move into the draw for the next round.

FC LORIENT 3-0 STADE BREST

FC Lorient also triumphed in the battle of the Ligue 1 sides, running out comfortable 3-0 victors in Brittany over Stade Brest on Wednesday evening.

Bruno Ecuele Manga - having only recently returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, broke the deadlock just after the hour mark following a first half of missed opportunities.

Jeremie Aliadiere's rejuvenated season continued when he powered in a second soon after, before wrapping up the victory in stoppage time to ensure a place in the next round.

ELSEWHERE

Joining the Ligue 1 duo in the quarter-finals is Evian, who saw off a plucky challenger in Ligue 2 side Le Havre thanks to a double from Kevin Berigaud and Saber Khlifa, with Yohann Riviere also finding the net at Parc des Sports.

Europa League hopefuls Bordeaux endured a tough time in seeing off minnows Raon-l'Etape, prevailing on penalties following a 2-2 draw. Cheickh Diabate's extra-time penalty forced a shoot-out after Amara Keita nudged the lower league side ahead, before the 2009 champions prevailed 5-3 on spot kicks.

Ligue 1 bottom outfit Nancy also endured similar trouble at Venissieux, winning 2-0, only in extra-time thanks to goals from Benjamin Moukandjo and Thomas Ayasse. Ligue 2 side Lens entertain giant-killers Epinal in Thursday's only clash.