Victor Montano was on target for Rennes in a 2-0 win over Nice on Monday, but they remain five points behind Ligue 1 leaders Lille.
Centre-forward Montano, capped once by Columbia, opened the scoring in the 52nd minute at the Stade de la Route de Lorient.
Just six minutes later and Montano's strike partner, Togo international Razak Boukari, doubled the advantage from the penalty spot.
Defeat leaves Nice in 16th place, perilously close to the relegation zone and just two points better off than third-bottom Monaco.
Rennes remain second, but are five points behind Lille after the league leaders also won 2-0 at home to Toulouse.
Ivory Coast international Gervinho put the hosts 1-0 ahead six minutes before half-time at the Stade Lille Metropole.
It took until the final exchanges for Lille to guarantee the win, but substitute Tulio De Melo made sure with a second goal in the 90th minute.
Elsewhere, Valenciennes jumped three places to 12th with a 3-0 win over Brest.
The surprise front runners early in the campaign, Brest have now won just once in their last eight league matches and slip to 10th on the table following their latest reverse.
Goals from defenders David Ducourtioux and Milan Bisevac put the hosts two goals ahead inside 22 minutes at the Stade Nungesser.
Front-man Gregory Pujol wrapped up the scoring on 69 minutes.