(Ligue 1 2022/2023): Highlights Angers - Auxerre

The league's two bottom sides met as 20th-placed Angers hosted 19th-placed Auxerre in a match where surely something had to give. Angers' record-breaking run of 13 consecutive defeats had finally come to an end last weekend with a goalless draw away at Lorient, but they remained on a five-month winless run. Auxerre had also seen a lengthy losing run end with a goalless draw at home to Reims and were themselves winless since October. So surely an end to one of the winless streaks, as it was destined to be just another draw. Cheered on by the ever-supportive home faithful, it was Scho who took the lead after just two minutes. Abdelhasimah, played on by Ryan Revellesen, playing it right back in his desperation to get back to Malagasy, deflecting the cross into his own net. Certainly a tight call, but the goal would stand in a tricky situation for the makeshift defender with Ibrahima Nyane lurking behind to turn home if he had left it. Despite the great start for the hosts, Abdelhasimah, wanting more, having seen his side let a goal lead slip a couple of times in 2023, he had a chance to grab a second, but Mihail Blazic only able to deflect a free kick into the grateful gloves of Andrei Radu. Abdelhasimah's fears would be realised as his side's lead proved to be short-lived. in the 22nd minute, feeling no ill effects from being dumped onto the Raymond Coppa turf, the on loan Stade Rennais forward dusted himself down and confidently fired an equaliser past Paul Bernardoni. Straight down the middle, the teenager relying on the keeper to dive out of the way. It would remain level through to half-time. Was there with a team Andrei had faced the most often without losing since their professional debut in 1945. Could either side produce a hugely important winner on this occasion? Both sides went agonisingly close in the space of a few seconds. First, nearly a second own goal of the game as Nuno da Costa deflected an Andrei corner onto his own outright. And then Auzere on the counter, Gautier-Ain breaking away, and then Ravellison nearly making amends for his own goal, but Bernardoni out to block from close range. Christophe Pellissier watching on through the afternoon sun, his team nearly punished late on. Ravellison not excelling himself at right back, perhaps guilty of switching off again and almost allowing substitute Amine Salama a free shot in the box. Radu on hand to keep things level on this occasion. With the match set for an exasperating share of the spoils, Auzere were handed an opportunity to steal all three points at the death when Lacin Seneuco's shot was blocked by Blazic. Appeals from the forward, and VAR would intervene to provide a penalty for handball. So a 93rd minute penalty, the second one of the day for Abilene, but this time he couldn't take advantage as his spot kick cannoned off the crossbar. A let off for the hosts, celebrated like a goal in the stands, but in truth this was a game both sides desperately needed to win, and neither would. So in fact, nothing did give no end to either winless streak. Auzere four points from safety, perhaps still in with the shouts, but Orange, despite back to back draws, are still nine away from 16th and have only picked up ten points all season.