Erdinc strike lifts Rennes

Mevlut Erdinc's early goal was enough for Rennes to beat Sochaux 1-0 and lift Rennes closer to the top half of the table.

Mevlut Erdinc's early goal was enough to see off the challenge of former club Sochaux 1-0 and lift Rennes closer to the top half of the Ligue 1 table. The win maintains the impressive recent record of Frederic Antonetti's men, who are now unbeaten in four matches across all competitions. Sochaux, however, have lost two on the trot and drop into the bottom three as result of this latest setback. Rennes' growing confidence became evident after just six minutes when they took the lead through striker Erdinc, who met a cross from Kevin Theophile Catherine with a header which was helped into the net by the woodwork. The home side instantly raised their game and were unfortunate not to be level 10 minutes later with Roy Contout's snapshot coming back off the post. Another chance quickly followed but that was also kept at bay this time by goalkeeper Benoit Costil, who got the better of Sebastien Roudet when one on one with the midfielder. Rennes had to wait until early in the second half for their next opportunity which again fell to Erdinc, although the Turk - a product of Sochaux's academy who went on to play more than 70 first team matches - fired wide. Costil was called upon once more after 68 minutes with another fine save to keep out a shot from Sloan Privat, who was looking to provide the finish to a cross from Ryad Boudebouz. Privat then did his best to tee up Contout but that also came to nothing as his header flashed narrowly wide. And it became clear it was not Sochaux's night as full time approached when Privat ran on to another ball from Boudebouz but volleyed over the crossbar.