Lorient missed the chance to boost their survival hopes in Ligue 1 after being held to a goalless draw away to bottom-of-the-table Lens.

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The encounter sparked to life on 23 minutes when both sides had good chances to break the deadlock.

First, Lorient hitman Jordan Ayew was denied by Rudy Riou, before Benjamin Lecomte kept out Baptiste Guillaume at the other end.

It was the hosts who grew stronger as the half went on, with Loick Landre going close on the half-hour mark, before Lecomte stood tall again to deny Adamo Coulibaly.

Despite being nine points adrift of safety, Lens looked to have plenty of fight left in them in their relegation battle with a strong start to the second half.

Pierrick Valdivia's left-footed strike from outside the area went close on 47 minutes, before Pablo Chavarria missed a free header after failing to connect with Wylan Cyprien's excellent free kick.

Likewise, Lorient were also left rueing missed opportunities when Didier Ndong and Lamine Kone both spurned chances to snatch the win.