NANCY, France (Interstat) — A first-half goal from defender Jérémy Gelin lifted AS Nancy-Lorraine to a narrow 1-0 victory over Clermont Foot 63 in a Ligue 2 match on Friday afternoon at Stade Marcel Picot.

The result, played before a home crowd in Tomblaine, provided a vital three points for Nancy, which moved its league record to five wins, eight losses and four draws. Clermont’s record in France’s second division now stands at four wins, five losses and six draws.

The match’s lone moment of quality arrived in the 36th minute. A swift Nancy counterattack, initiated by substitute Joshua M’Bahia, found forward Jimmy Evans on the right flank. Evans drove toward the byline before cutting a precise low cross back into the penalty area. Another substitute, Abdellah Baallal, cleverly let the ball run through his legs, wrong-footing the Clermont defense and allowing it to roll into the path of the arriving Gelin. The central defender made no mistake, side-footing a first-time finish into the net from 12 yards out.

Gelin’s goal, a rare offensive contribution from the back line, proved decisive in a contest that defied the pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had forecast a 1-1 draw, while its ELO rating system gave Nancy just a 52.3 percent probability of securing a win.

The goal sparked a brief period of increased tension. Clermont’s M’Bahia, who had provided the initial pass on the goal, received a yellow card just two minutes later for a reckless challenge. Baallal, also instrumental in the buildup, was booked in second-half stoppage time of the first period. Evans rounded out the disciplinary actions with a yellow card in the 91st minute.

Despite controlling periods of possession, Clermont struggled to create clear-cut chances against a disciplined Nancy defense that secured its first clean sheet in several weeks. The visitors, who entered the match on a run of three consecutive draws across all competitions, lacked the final pass to break down the home side’s organized block.

For Nancy, the victory snapped a two-game losing skid in Ligue 2, following defeats to Grenoble Foot 38 and Saint-Etienne II. The win provides a positive foundation as the team looks ahead to a challenging January schedule. Clermont, meanwhile, continues to seek consistency after a run of results that has seen them win only once in their last five league outings.

Both teams now break for the winter period before resuming league play on Jan. 3. Nancy will travel to face Amiens AC U19, while Clermont will host Stade Lavallois Mayenne FC.