Marseille missed the creativity of Dimitri Payet as it dropped points in the race for a Champions League place after being held 0-0 at home by Angers on Saturday in a dull French league encounter.
With Payet sidelined, Marseille's attack failed to function. Substitute Saïf-Eddine Khaoui had the home side's first shot on target in the 77th minute, but his tame effort went straight at goalkeeper Ludovic Butelle.
In a scrappy first half, a resolute Angers side came closest to scoring in the 21st when striker Sada Thioub's deflected curler from 20 meters (yards) just missed the target.
Marseille's Alvaro, bottom, challenges Angers' Pierrick Capelle during the French League One soccer match between Marseille and Angers at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, France, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. (AP PhotoDaniel Cole)
Although second-place Marseille extended its overall unbeaten run to 12 games, it missed the chance to extend its lead over third-place Rennes, which drew 1-1 at Nice on Friday and is five points behind Marseille.
Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain can move 10 points clear of Marseille at the top on Sunday if it wins at Lille, which beat PSG 5-1 at home last season.
Later Saturday, Montpellier was looking to move up to fourth place with a home win against struggling Dijon and Monaco hosted Strasbourg.
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