Metz remain rooted to the foot of Ligue 1 after losing 3-2 at home to an improving Saint-Etienne side.

The hosts held their own for much of the first period and created plenty of chances, but were left stunned by two goals in the space of five minutes.

Romain Hamouma picked out Max Gradel in front of goal in the 38th minute and the former Leeds United striker made no mistake from close range, lashing a shot into the roof of the net to put Saint-Etienne ahead.

The visitors doubled their lead moments later as Hamouma cut the Metz defence in half with a through ball, allowing Mevlut Erding to race in and place an effort beyond Anthony Mfa Mezui between the home sticks.

Metz pulled a goal back just over 10 minutes into the second half when Kevin Lejeune rifled into the top corner from outside the box, and things looked nervy for the visitors for a while, but they made the game safe late on.

Yohan Mollo landed the killer blow in the 80th minute, Hamouma making it a hat-trick of assists by picking him out with a cutback in front of goal, and the winger did the rest.

Metz pulled another one back from the penalty spot through Yeni N'Gbakoto in the final minute, after Benjamin Corgnet was ajudged to have handled in the box, but it proved little consolation for the home support.

The result leaves Metz rock bottom of the table, while Saint-Etienne are just a point away from the top four.