Lorient have kept alive their chances of playing European football next season with a 2-1 win against Evian Thonon Gaillard at home in Ligue 1.

The home side created the first chance of the game after nine minutes when Yann Jouffre forced out a good save from Bertrand Laquait from a narrow angle on the right.

Jouffre went close again six minutes later, this time failing to hit the target from close range.

The game went into a lull thereafter but burst into life three minutes from the half-time interval when Lorient were awarded a penalty.

Betao brought down Jeremie Aliadiere, who himself stepped up to score from the spot.

Lorient could have added to their advantage eight minutes into the second half when Mario Lemina's shot from outside the box was saved by Laquait.

Guillaume Lacou shot wide for Evian midway through the second half and minutes later Jouffre squandered another decent opportunity.

Kevin Monnet-Paquet eventually wrapped up the points for Lorient when he turned in Maxime Barthelme's cross from the left side of the box with 12 minutes left on the clock.

Betao pulled one back for Evian in the 63rd minute when he headed home Milos Ninkovic's delivery from close range, but it proved to be a mere consolation in the end.