Lorient and Monaco have headed into the half-time break of their Ligue 1 clash at Stade du Moustoir level at 1-1.

The hosts made the better start of the two sides and could have surged ahead as early as the fourth minute through Vincent Aboubakar, who turned his marker inside the Monaco box but failed to get his effort on target from a narrow angle.

However, eight minutes later Aboubakar did put Lorient in the lead when he headed home Kevin Monnet-Paquet's cross from the right flank.

Christian Gourcuff's side continued to dominate proceedings as the first half progressed, with Alain Traore and Aboubakar both going close.

However, Monaco stepped up their game in the final 15 minutes of the first period, as James Rodriguez and Fabinho created chances to restore parity.

Then with four minutes left for the half-time interval, Valere Germain equalised for Claudio Ranieri's side when he shot home from outside the box with the aid of a slight deflection and the post.