Lens coach Eric Sikora has revealed his pride at his side's display in their narrow 3-2 home defeat to Ligue 1 outfit Bordeaux in the Coupe de France quarter-finals.

Sikora has said that his players are disappointed not to have won after being ahead, but insisted that the result showed that Lens still have passion for football despite sitting mid-table in Ligue 2.

"The free-kick equaliser hit us hard," Sikora told Ligue1.com. "Even if they were in control in the second half they really hurt us from set pieces.

"There's a lot of disappointment because we weren't far away from pulling it off. There was a lot of emotion and a full house. Football in Lens is not dead.

"The young players put in a high level performance - we caused Bordeaux problems and that's what we have to take out of this match."

In the night's other result, Evian TG knocked out Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.