MITROGLOU TO THE RESCUE

GREECE striker Kostas Mitroglou netted a late equaliser on his first Marseille start to salvage a point in yesterday’s 3-3 draw at Strasbourg as Steve Mandanda made a club record 453rd appearance. Dimitri Payet gave Marseille the lead on five minutes, but Jean Eudes Aholou’s deflected shot pulled Strasbourg level before Morgan Sanson’s cross made it 2-1 to the visitors just after the break. Bakary Kone powered in a corner as Strasbourg hit back and the hosts looked on course for just a second win on their return to the top flight when Dimitri Lienard struck on 74 minutes. Stephane Bahoken poked against the post with Martin Terrier blasting wide from the follow-up as Strasbourg wasted a glorious chance to wrap up the three points. It proved costly as Mitroglou, who scored three times on international duty to help Greece earn a World Cup playoff place, pounced on a rebound two minutes from time after a mistake from Bingourou Kamara. “Mitroglou was involved in almost everything good we did. He can do a bit more and a bit better but you have to give him time. It’s a good starting point,” said Marseille coach Rudi Garcia. Montpellier registered just a third win in nine matches with fine solo efforts from Benin international Stephane Sessegnon, on 54 minutes, and Isaac Mbenza in the final quarter hour. Bordeaux forward Malcom notched his fifth goal of the season in a 1-1 draw at home to Nantes, who extended their unbeaten run under Claudio Ranieri to seven games.