Metz gave their Ligue 1 survival hopes a shot in the arm with a 3-1 win over Lens this evening.
Goals from Florent Malouda, Bouna Sarr and Modibo Maiga were enough for Les Grenats, who are now eight points off 17th in France's top division.
Former Chelsea winger Malouda opened the scoring for the home side on 13 minutes with a neat finish after he pounced on a mistake in the Lens defence.
Sarr doubled Metz's advantage from the penalty spot shortly before the hour mark.
Ex-West Ham United man Maiga then wrapped the points up for the strugglers with 10 minutes remaining when he made the most of another defensive error to round the goalkeeper and convert.
Aristote Madiani netted a consolation for Lens in stoppage time.
