Nice held by 10-man Bastia as title challenge stalls

PARIS (Reuters) - Nice's Ligue 1 title challenge continued to stall as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Bastia despite playing against 10 men after Yannick Cahuzac was sent off just past the hour on Friday. The hosts went ahead in the 15th minute when Prince Oniangue fired home but Nice equalised through Arnaud Souquet's header in the 33rd and late on failed to take advantage of the extra man. The Azurean side, who have not won this year in three competitive games, are back on top with 46 points from 21 games but second-placed AS Monaco, a point behind, will leapfrog them if they avoid a home defeat by Lorient on Sunday. Champions Paris St Germain will also move within a point of Nice if they beat Nantes away on Saturday. Nice striker Mario Balotelli returned after suspension but they were still without Morocco playmaker Younes Belhanda, who is missing the African Nations Cup because of a toe injury. Oniangue put the hosts in front after Sadio Diallo's effort was deflected into his path, rewarding their early domination, but Souquet levelled with a header from Wylan Cyprien's corner. Bastia resumed their domination but the momentum swung the visitors' way in the 64th minute when Cahuzac picked a second yellow card for a rough challenge on Cyprien. However, Nice failed to capitalise on the man advantage were forced to settle for a third consecutive league draw. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Ken Ferris)