Late goals from strikers Bafetimbi Gomis and Lisandro Lopez gave Lyon a laboured 2-0 win over fourth-tier underdogs Vendee Lucon on Sunday, taking Remi Garde's side into the French Cup last 16.
In a game played at Nantes' Stade de la Beaujoire, Lucon held out until the 75th minute against their illustrious opponents, who broke the deadlock when Gomis' shot was deflected past goalkeeper Damien Leclere.
Lisandro made the game safe nine minutes from time, finishing off a Lyon counter-attack with a right-footed shot into the roof of the net.
In-form Marseille will bid to extend their winning run to six games in all competitions at home to Ligue 2 Le Havre later on Saturday, while Montpellier visit another second-tier outfit, Tours, on Monday.
On Saturday, holders Lille required an extra-time header from substitute Gianni Bruno to overcome fourth-tier side Compiegne 1-0.
"To go far in the French Cup, you also need to know how to squeeze through in certain matches," said Lille coach Rudi Garcia.
"The door wasn't wide tonight but we managed to pass through it all the same."
Bordeaux had a similarly narrow escape, with goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso saving two spotkicks as they beat Creteil 4-3 on penalties after the National (third division) outfit had twice equalised to force a 2-2 draw.
Ajaccio and Auxerre were not so fortunate, as the Corsicans fell 3-2 to fourth-tier Bourg-Peronnas and Laurent Fournier's Auxerre lost 2-1 at home to Chateauroux of Ligue 2.
Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain booked their place in the last 16 with a 4-0 victory at fifth-tier Sable-sur-Sarthe on Friday.
PSG had needed an injury-time goal from Diego Lugano to see off fifth-division side Saint-Colomban Locmine in the previous round, but a brace each from Nene and Kevin Gameiro gave them a more comfortable margin of victory at the MMArena in Le Mans.
Source: AFP
