Aurelien Capoue scored the winning goal for Nantes who bagged their 41st point and moved into 14th spot in the league table leaving Strasbourg to rue their chances as they remain in 18th place on 27 points.

The Alsatian club, for which Egyptian duo Ahmed Abou-Mosallam and Hosni Abd-Rabou play, are five points behind Troyes with only four games separating them from the end of the season and relegation.

Abou-Mosallam and Abd-Rabou each contributed to Strasbourg's efforts to equalize as the first set-up Alexander Farnerud with a deft cross that the latter headed into the hands of Nantes keeper Mickael Landreau.

Abd-Rabou executed a long-range effort and a powerful free-kick that was saved by Landreau before being substituted in the 74th minute.