Bordeaux maintained their push for the Ligue 1 title by posting a hard-fought victory over battling Valenciennes.

Just a week on from dealing a terminal blow to Lyon's title aspirations, Valenciennes appeared set for yet another upset when they went ahead thanks to Gael Danic's penalty.

Fernando Menegazzo pulled Les Girondins level six minutes before the break while Yoann Gourcuff hit the winner after 84 minutes to seal three priceless points for Laurent Blanc's troops.

Siaka Tiene and Luigi Pieroni saw red for the hosts in the closing minutes to kill off any chance of a fightback.

Bordeaux's win leaves them tied on 71 points with leaders Marseille, who eased to a 2-0 victory at local rivals Nice earlier this evening.

VA were quick out of the blocks and nearly had their noses in front after six minutes, Tiene crossing for Johan Audel to send a superb header on target but Bordeaux goalkeeper Mathieu Valverde blocked.

The hosts remained on the front foot for much of the opening exchanges and deservedly went ahead after 21 minutes when Mathieu Chalme fouled Danic in the area and the midfielder picked himself up to convert the spot-kick.

Valverde was called into action just moments later as he was forced into a smart stop to deny Carlos Sanchez.

VA failed to capitalise further on their opponents' slow start to the match and were eventually pegged back after 39 minutes when Gourcuff's free-kick was helped on its way by Benoit Tremoulinas and Fernando reacted quickest to head home at the near post.

The visitors maintained the upper hand at the start of the second period and almost moved in front after 55 minutes when Fernando released Yoan Gouffran, who saw his effort palmed to safety by Nicolas Penneteau.

As the game started to heat up VA coach Antoine Kombouare was dismissed by the referee for robustly contesting a decision on the touchline.

Kombouare's dismissal was a portent of things to come for VA, who found themselves behind six minutes from time when Jussie played in Chalme to cross for Gourcuff who made no mistake with an excellent diving header.

The hosts lost their heads in what time remained as Tiene and Pieroni each walked for second bookings in the closing minutes.