Paris (AFP) – Brittany side Lorient’s stay in France’s Ligue 1 came to an end after 11 years on Sunday as they lost a play-off against second-tier Troyes.
The 0-0 draw at Lorient’s Stade du Moustoir was not enough for them to overturn a 2-1 defeat in the first leg on Thursday, meaning Troyes are promoted back to the top flight after a one-year absence.
Lorient had earned another crack at survival after finishing 18th in Ligue 1 as the two-legged play-off was reintroduced this season for the first time since 1994.
However, the aggregate defeat means they join Bastia and Nancy in going down to the second tier.
Troyes, for whom the 40-year-old Benjamin Nivet scored their winner in the first leg, go up with Strasbourg, French champions in 1979, and Amiens, who both won automatic promotion to Ligue 1.
200+ Channels & Local Sports
- Price: Plans starting at $14.99/mo (Latino)
- Watch Ligue 1, Copa Libertadores & World Cup Qualifiers
Every MLS Match in One Place
- Price: $12.99/mo (Now included with standard subscription)
- Watch every MLS regular season game, Playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
- Price: $11.99/mo (or ESPN Unlimited for $29.99/mo)
- Features LaLiga, Bundesliga, FA Cup & NWSL
2,000+ Soccer Games Per Year
- Price: Starting at $8.99/mo
- Features Champions League, Serie A & Europa League
Home of the Premier League
- Price: Starting at $10.99/mo
- 175+ Exclusive EPL matches per season