NANCY, France (Interstat) — Defender Jérémy Gelin scored in the 36th minute to give Nancy a 1-0 victory over Clermont in a French Ligue 2 match Friday at Stade Marcel Picot.

The decisive goal came from an unlikely source, with the center-back finding the net. Substitute Joshua M’Bahia provided the assist shortly before receiving a yellow card. Clermont failed to mount a response as Nancy secured a clean sheet.

The result improved Nancy’s league record to five wins, eight losses and four draws. Clermont’s mark fell to four wins, five losses and six draws. The match was a physical affair, with three yellow cards issued, including one to Nancy’s Jimmy Evans in stoppage time. The win defied a pregame statistical projection that had forecast a draw.