Bellion nudges Bordeaux past Marítimo

David Bellion's first goal in over two years secured a narrow victory for FC Girondins de Bordeaux against CS Marítimo and moved the French side to within one point of the Group D summit.

Bellion struck after 16 minutes and although Bordeaux had chances to add to the scoreline in the first half, they needed to survive a nervy last few minutes against opponents who grew into the game.

A couple of searching balls from captain Jaroslav Plašil served early notice of the hosts' intent and when their first real chance came along, they took it. Making only his second start this season and having not scored since September 2010, Bellion might have been forgiven for looking a tad rusty. He showed no hesitancy, though, as Nicolas Maurice-Belay clipped in a left-wing cross for his team-mate to turn in firmly at the near post.

Marítimo's own forays forward proved to be rare, and when they did threaten the Bordeaux box they ended up handing a chance to the hosts on the break. Bellion burst away down the left and fed the overlapping Benoît Trémoulinas, whose cross was put on a plate for Cheick Diabaté. The striker was unable to finish, however, and Marítimo had further reason to feel relief when Ludovic Sané later headed against a post.

If Bordeaux did not exactly rest on their laurels in the second half, they certainly invited the visitors onto them, and Pedro Martins' side became more and more confident. Still, the Portuguese hopefuls could not fashion a decent opportunity until, with 12 minutes to play, Heldon presented Fidélis with a golden chance to equalise that went begging. Valentin Roberge then had a goal ruled out as nerves became frayed in the Bordeaux ranks, yet they held on to move a point behind Newcastle United FC.