An ill-tempered draw between Lille and Saint-Etienne tonight has seen both sides miss out on the chance to earn Europa League qualification on the final day of Ligue 1 action.
A win for either side would prove enough to secure fourth place but it was Lille who dominated from the outset.
Just before the break home pressure told as Salomon Kalou turned home a flick header from Ronny Rodelin at the back post to give Lille a deserved half-time lead.
Saint-Etienne responded strongly after the break and went close to an equaliser through Brandao and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
On the hour mark Les Verts levelled as Romain Hamouma guided home after intelligent approach play from Faouzi Ghoulam.
Any hope of a win for a win for the visitors diminished soon after when Josuha Guilavogui was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Lille brought on Mathieu Bodmer and Nolan Roux late on but were unable to make a decisive breakthrough as both sides were pipped by Nice to fourth place.
Saint-Etienne will still play in next season's Europa League after winning the League Cup, but Lille miss out altogether after finishing an inconsistent campaign in sixth place.
Liam Power
