Returning midfielder Jussie stepped off the bench and fired the only goal of the game as Bordeaux ground out a much-needed win, despite playing with nine men for nearly 40 minutes.

Laurent Blanc's side came into the game in desperate need of a result after managing just a point from their past two league encounters, while their 4-0 Champions League hammering away to Chelsea in midweek had only served to sour the mood in south-west France.

Bordeaux's hopes of halting their form slide hit a major snag when, with the scores still deadlocked, midfield duo Alou Diarra and Geraldo Wendell were sent off in the space of three manic second-half minutes.

Despite their numerical disadvantage Bordeaux stood firm and were rewarded 10 minutes from time when Jussie found the net.

It was cruel on newly-promoted Grenoble, who continue to impress in the top-flight, with the defeat further soured in injury time when Martial Robin was dismissed after his kick on Yohan Gourcuff left the France midfielder bleeding from his face.

A forgettable first half was only illuminated by a fine save from Bordeaux goalkeeper Ulrich Rame as he expertly turned away a Daniel Moreira half-volley.

The game finally came to life after the break, albeit for the wrong reasons, with the dismissals of Diarra and Wendell.

Diarra was given his marching orders in the 49th minute when he was shown a second yellow for deliberate handball and three minutes later Wendell followed his team-mate down the tunnel following a dangerous tackle.

Now in the box seat Grenoble sought a winner, but were again denied by Rame who clawed away a Sofiane Feghouli free-kick from the top corner.

Rame's good work set the scene for Jussie, back in the squad after a thigh injury, to make the perfect comeback as he profited on a poor clearance by Maxence Flachez before coolly stroking home the winner.

There was still time for Rame to make another block, this time to deny Bouchaib El Moubarki, before frustration got the better of Robin who was red carded for kicking out at Gourcuff.