Reims have missed the chance to put distance between themselves and the Ligue 1 relegation zone, losing 1-0 at home to Nice this evening.

Said Benrahma's strike after just five minutes proved enough to leave the hosts outside of the danger zone on goal difference alone.

The visitors made their intentions known early on when Eric Bautheac drilled wide after three minutes, before Benrahma fired them ahead shortly after with a close-range finish into the top corner.

The goal acted as a wake-up call for the hosts, however, as Gaetan Charbonnier and Nicolas de Preville both came close to equalisers on 18 and 20 minutes respectively.

Charbonnier let another chance go begging shortly after the half-hour mark, while Nampalys Mendy almost doubled Nice's lead before the break when he latched on to Benrahma's ball and blazed wide.

Reims made a fine fist of a comeback after the break when Charbonnier missed again to dismiss the notion of 'third time lucky', before De Preville saw his effort denied by Simon Pouplin shortly after, but Olivier Guagan's side ultimately fell short in their pursuit of a point.