Troyes 3 - 0 AC Ajaccio

Troyes 3-0 AC Ajaccio

Updated: April 15, 2006, 9:47 PM UK

TROYES, April 15 (Ligue 1) - Troyes took a giant step towards Ligue 1 survival with a convincing win at the expense of fellow strugglers Ajaccio.

Troyes remain fourth bottom but now have a huge cushion over the three teams in the relegation zone - with three matches to play they lead Strasbourg, Ajaccio and Metz respectively by seven, eight and nine points.

They were convincing winners against the Corsicans with goals from Karl Tourenne, Ibrahima Faye and Ibrahima Bangoura while Rodrigo was sent off for Ajaccio.

It was the second crucial win in a row for Troyes who last weekend dispatched Metz 4-2.

Ajaccio started brightly and Moussa N'Diaye fired wide from an acute angle on the right after five minutes before Kaba Diawara's shot was blocked by a brave challenge from Faye who cleared the danger.

After 28 minutes Rodrigo picked up his first yellow card of the night when he fouled Tourenne.

It was Tourenne who found the opening goal of the match after 35 minutes.

Sebastien Dallet's shot was parried by Stephane Porato but the Ajaccio goalkeeper was unable to prevent Tourenne from sliding in the rebound.

It did not take long for the second goal to arrive with Benjamin Nivet swinging in a corner which was partially cleared by the Ajaccio defence but Faye executed an acrobatic shot to make the score 2-0.

Ajaccio tried to hit back after the break and a cross from N'Diaye set up a chance for Rodrigo who missed the target.

The third goal came not long after the hour mark as Bangoura managed to escape the attentions of the Corsican defence and beat Porato with his shot.

Troyes were rampant now and Eloge Enza Yamissi forced a save from Porato before the Troyes substitute was then fouled by Rodrigo who was shown his second yellow card and therefore a red.

One more win will do it for Troyes and even if they draw a blank it will take a remarkable end of the season for any of the clubs below them to deny them their place in the top flight.