Another draw for Evian

Evian edged two points clear of the relegation zone after they grabbed a third successive Ligue 1 draw at Bastia.

Evian edged two points clear of the relegation zone after they grabbed a third successive Ligue 1 draw at Bastia. The hosts came closest to a winner just before half-time when Claudio Beauvue crashed a shot against the post. But in the end both seemed content for a point with edged Evian further away from danger while Bastia, who had lost their past two, are now six points above the drop zone. Beauvue had the first chance of the game on two minutes when Florian Thauvin played him though but his low shot was turned away for a corner by Bertrand Laquait. Bastia bossed the first half and Thauvin's first-time shot was straight at Laquiat after Julian Palmieri's jinking run into the area. Julien Sable then saw a volley cleared for a corner by Daniel Wass deflected on corner. Evian had to wait until the 38th minute for their first effort on goal but it almost brought them the lead. Mickael Landreau made an excellent reflex save to keep out Kevin Berigaud's shot at close quarters after Milos Ninkovic's pass opened the defence. Bastia survived the scare before the woodwork denied them an opener on 44 minutes. Beauvue's first-time shot at the top of the area rebounded to safety after Sable had freed him into space. The second half was a sedate affair as both sides cautiously moved towards grabbing a point. Bastia briefly threatened on 70 minutes when Toifilou Maoulida's effort was deflected for a corner by Laquait. Evian again came close, Sidney Govou firing inches wide, before Wahbi Khazri fizzed a shot just over at the other end.