Saint-Etienne leapfrogged AS Monaco into third in Ligue 1 with a 1-0 win over Montpellier HSC this afternoon.

Max Gradel's goal on 20 minutes was enough for the home side, who move up to 60 points in France's top division.

Anthony Mounier went close for Montpellier early on, but his left-footed effort was saved by Stephane Ruffier.

Another chance came the way of the visitors when Lucas Barrios found Paul Lasne, but the midfielder could not find the target on nine minutes.

Les Verts took the lead when Gradel netted his 12th goal of the campaign with a well-struck effort from Benjamin Corgnet's nod down.

After the break, Saint-Etienne were unfortunate not to double their lead when Romain Hamouna's acrobatic overhead hit the crossbar.