AC Ajaccio 0 - 1 Nice

AC Ajaccio 0-1 Nice

Updated: May 14, 2005, 5:14 PM ET

AJACCIO, May 14 (Ligue 1) - Nice are almost safe after edging a relegation dogfight with fellow strugglers Ajaccio, who are now above the drop zone only on goal difference.

Kamel Larbi scored the goal that could prove priceless for Les Aiglons at the end of the season in the 52nd minute.

Ajaccio, meanwhile, now face two nervous weekends as they look to secure another season in the top flight.

The Corsicans started well and in the opening minute Cyril Chapuis forced Damien Gregorini to make a save with his foot.

Nice tried to hit back and after nine minutes Florent Balmont's free-kick took a deflection off the Ajaccio wall and struck the woodwork.

Despite that foray, Ajaccio were making the most of the early running and Rodrigo crossed towards Lucas, whose header was well saved by Gregorini.

The custodian came to the rescue again after 20 minutes when he saved a Lucas header from an Andre Luiz free-kick.

The enterprising Andre Luiz had a crack himself for the hosts with eight minutes remaining in the first period but his volley clipped the crossbar.

Nice started the second half well, though, and Marama Vahirua forced Ajaccio goalkeeper Stephane Porato into an early save.

Then came the goal that would decide the match as Larbi collected a pass from Yoann Bigne before scoring with aplomb.

The Corsicans did their best to hit back and Yacine Bezzaz fired a shot just too high as they sought the goal they so desperately needed.

However, Nice could have scored a second goal with eight minutes remaining when Porato made a fine save from a shot by substitute Sebastien Roudet.