Nantes snatched a late win over mid-table Lorient with a last-minute winner from Ismael Bangoura in an evenly contested game in Ligue 1.

The hosts could have led inside the first 10 minutes when Johan Audel's fast break and cross found Serge Gakpe, but the midfielder failed to keep his header down.

Alejandro Bedoya missed a good chance for Les Canaris on the half-hour mark when he met Issa Cissokho's cross, only to nod the ball wide of Florent Chaignaut's goal.

Mid-table Lorient had opportunities of their own in the opening period and former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere squandered arguably the best when he dragged his shot wide from the centre of the area.

Nantes started the second half better and were almost ahead within 60 seconds when Filip Djordevic played in Adrien Trebel, but his ambitious shot from 35 yards was too high.

Gakpe again threatened moments later when his effort from the left side of the box was kept out by Chaignaut.

Lorient also looked to break the deadlock, but Alain Traore saw his shot from the edge of the box blocked by the Nantes defence.

Both sides became for desperate for a breakthrough as they resorted to shooting from distance without success as the half meandered on.

With 10 minutes remaining, Chaignaut was called into action again to keep out Papy Djilobodji's effort from the edge of the penalty area.

When a draw seemed the likely end result for both sides, it was left to Ismael Bangoura to latch onto Djordevic's pass and slot the ball home for the hosts.

The late win sees Nantes climb to fifth in Ligue 1, above Bordeaux in the standings.