Benjamin Stambouli struck an equaliser in the final minute of the match to earn Montpellier HSC a 1-1 draw at Valenciennes on Saturday night.

Benjamin Brou Angoua had given the hosts the lead at Stade Nungesser, before the visitors had Mathieu Deplagne sent off.

However, Stambouli found a late leveller to ensure that the visitors left with a point.

The home side did not take long to go in front, as Angoua slammed a half-volley into the back of the net from a corner in the fifth minute of the match.

Valenciennes nearly found a second just three minutes into the second half, but Mathieu Dossevi's shot flew just wide of the post after being put under intense pressure by Deplagne.

Montpellier thought that they had an equaliser in the 52nd minute when Daniel Congre headed a free kick into the back of the net, but he was flagged offside.

From the resulting decision, Valenciennes nearly doubled their lead on the counter, but Gregory Pujol's low shot from the left of the box was touched wide by Geoffrey Jourdren at the near post.

The game continued to become heated as it went on, and Montpellier were reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute when Deplagne was sent off for following through on Pujol.

Despite their disadvantage, Montpellier clinched a last-minute equaliser when Stambouli found himself free at the far post from a corner to side-foot the loose ball into the back of the net.

The draw keeps Montpellier and Valenciennes where they were in the table - 16th and 18th respectively.