Lille's seven-match winning run in Ligue 1 came to an abrupt halt at struggling Sochaux.

Lille went into the game having not dropping a point since November, scoring 26 goals in conceding four in their last seven games.

But they were two down after just 11 minutes through goals from Damien Perquis and Stephane Dalmat.

Yohan Cabaye missed a first-half penalty for Lille before Robert Vittek halved the deficit late on, but they could not find a leveller as they dropped to third.

Eden Hazard's shot after six minutes was blocked by home goalkeeper Teddy Richert, but two minutes later the visitors were behind.

Perquis powered home a header from Marvin Martin's corner to open the scoring.

And the hosts, looking for their first league win of the year, doubled their lead in the 11th minute, Dalmat racing from his own half before planting a left-footed lob over Mickael Landreau.

Hazard forced a fine save with his feet from Richert before Sochaux almost moved further clear, Landreau at full stretch to keep out another header from Perquis.

Lille were handed a way back into the contest in the 24th minute when Richert was penalised for a foul on Hazard, but the keeper atoned by blocking the resulting penalty from Cabaya.

The visitors continued to press and Adil Rami's header was cleared off the line by Martin before Richert kept out Florent Balmont's shot.

Dalmat fired wide five minutes after the break following good build-up play also involving Vaclav Sverkos and Benjamin Gabanon.

Lille, looking to keep the pressure on leaders Bordeaux, poured forward as the half wore on, Frank Beria sending a header inches wide and Ludovic Obraniak firing a free-kick against the post.

And they pulled a goal back in the 76th minute as substitute Vittek met Hazard's cross with a diving header.

Obraniak set up Stephane Dumont with six minutes remaining, but Richert kept out his header to help earn his side victory.