Saint-Etienne have seen off the challenge of Lens this evening thanks to a late strike from Fabien Lemoine.
Both sides struggled to convert the chances they created, with Adamo Coulibaly and Max Gradel guilty of wasting opportunities for their respective teams early on.
Gradel was unlucky not to score just before half time, however, with his drive from distance forcing a good block from Moustapha Bayal Sall.
After the break, Saint-Etienne's Franck Tabanou crashed an effort against the post as the visitors started to ramp up the pressure.
They eventually got a winner through Lemoine, who finished after latching on to Ricky van Wolfswinkel's through-ball to secure a 0-1 victory.
