Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi ended his goal drought in the French Ligue 1, but it was not enough to prevent Lorient from a 4-2 defeat at Nantes.
Going into the game at the Beaujoire Stadium, Moffi had not scored since he found the back of the net in the 2-1 win against Lille last September.
However, he ended his barren run with a neat finish that put Lorient back into the game. Nantes were missing star man Moses Simon due to his involvement with Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.
But they coped well without him as Andrei Girotto put them ahead in the 39th minute before Randal Kolo Muani doubled their advantage eight minutes after the break.
Moffi pulled one back for Lorient for his third goal of the season in the 56th minute, but Osman Bukari restored Nantes two-goal lead in the 69th minute.
Sambou Soumano then reduced the deficit again for Lorient in the 85th minute to set up a nervy finish for the home side.
However, Willem Geubbels’ strike two minutes from time ended all their hopes of securing a dramatic comeback.
The result lifts Nantes to ninth on the table while Lorient stay in 19th position, three points from safety.