AJ Auxerre 1-1 Le Mans: two headers in eight second-half minutes share the points
Lucas Buades headed Le Mans in front eight minutes into the second half, and Cameron Archer headed Auxerre level eight minutes later, as the two sides shared a 1-1 draw at the Stade de l'Abbé Deschamps.
Both goals at the Stade de l'Abbé Deschamps came from the same place. Lucas Bretelle's cross found Lucas Buades for a header three minutes into the second half, and Auxerre needed only eight more to reply in kind: Cameron Archer rose to head the equaliser on 56 minutes, and neither side found a way past the other again in a match Auxerre dominated for long spells without turning it into a second goal.
- 48' — Lucas Buades (Le Mans), assisted by Lucas Bretelle (header)
- 56' — Cameron Archer (AJ Auxerre) (header)
Archer's header keeps a loan move on track
Archer joined Auxerre this season on a season-long loan from Southampton, and the header was his latest contribution since arriving in Burgundy. Auxerre had almost 60% of the ball and more than twice as many corners as their visitors, but one headed goal apiece was all either side had to show for it by full time.
Discipline stayed light throughout: Alexandre Lauray and goalscorer Buades were both booked for Le Mans either side of the opening goal, and Kévin Danois picked up Auxerre's only caution with just over 20 minutes left.
| Stat | Auxerre | Le Mans |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 59.6% | 40.4% |
| Shots on target | 5 | 2 |
| Pass accuracy | 397/491 (80.9%) | 232/338 (68.6%) |
| Corners | 7 | 1 |
| Fouls conceded | 15 | 12 |
| Offsides | 0 | 3 |
| Yellow cards | 1 | 2 |
Line-ups
| Team | Starting XI |
|---|---|
| AJ Auxerre (3-4-2-1) | Nardi; Tuanzebe, Akpa, Makosso; Danois, Ahamada, Oppegard, Sy; Archer, Namaso; Faivre |
| Le Mans (3-1-4-2) | Kocik; Yohou, Torrente, Sidibé; Lauray, Bretelle, Rabillard, Calodat; Buades; Diallo, Mafouta |
Where it leaves both sides
Auxerre had won two of their previous three before this draw, following a loss at Rennes with a 3-1 win at Le Havre, and stay 12th on 10 points. Le Mans arrived with just one win in their last five, on the back of back-to-back defeats to PSG and Toulouse, and remain 15th on 7 points after this fourth draw of the campaign.
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