Paris: Brest came from behind to win 4-3 at home to defending champions Metz in Ligue 1 on Sunday, while Monaco beat Rennes to remain third and one point behind Brest.
Brest is 10 points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain but four behind fourth-placed Lille, who sit outside the Champions League automatic qualification places.
“Once we came back, we came back with some good balls. Then there was the last quarter of the hour … but it was a good lesson to learn,” said Brest coach Eric Roy.
Ismael Traore put the visitors ahead, but Brest were beaten 3-1 by goals from Brendan Chardonnet, Kamory Doumbia, and Steve Mouney.
Martin Satriano added a fourth on the hour to seal the win at home.
Second-placed Metz hit back from safety but two goals in six minutes from Georges Mikautadze set up a nervy 10-minute final for Brest.
PSG remain in contention for the title despite struggling to a 1-1 draw with Clermont on Saturday.
PSG, ahead of next week’s Champions League match with Barcelona,
A Magnes Akliouche strike midway through the first half was enough for Monaco to beat Rennes, with both sides reduced to 10 men.
The 22-year-old midfielder scored his third in Ligue 1 with a left-footed volley from Ismail Obakobs in the 25th minute.
Rennes’ job was made more difficult after Martin Terrier was given a straight red card for standing on Aliche from midfield.
Steve Mandanda made a great save from Aleksandr Golovin after an hour to keep Rennes in the tie and three minutes later, Rennes pulled one back when Thilo Kehrer picked up Monaco’s second yellow card.
With 12 minutes remaining, there was contact between Youssef Fofana and Desiree Doue in the Monaco box, but after a VAR review, the referee decided that the penalty was not enough.
Rennes looked to equalize in the closing stages but Monaco held on to get their first home win in four months.
Elsewhere, Montpellier went 2-0 at home to Lorient to keep the distance between them.
The win moves Montpellier into 13th place and six points ahead of Lorient in the 16th play-off spot.
They were held to a 0-0 draw at Reims in the Champions League and Toulouse were also held to a goalless draw at home to Strasbourg.
Goals in the last 15 minutes from Alexandre Lacazette, Malik Fofana and Sogat Orban lifted Lyon to a 3-1 win at Nantes after Matthies Ablein’s 16-1 opener left the hosts just two points clear of the relegation zone.
