Nancy continued their poor start to the season with a goalless draw against 10-man Rennes.

Petter Hansson saw red in the closing stages following a dangerous tackle on Youssouf Hadji, as the visitors were unfortunate not to carve out a deserved win.

Olivier Thomert and Jimmy Briand both had good opportunities to break the deadlock, but Nancy held firm to deny Rennes their second win of the season.

Guy Lacombe's men could have opened the scoring after just three minutes when Thomert's free kick fooled goalkeeper Gennaro Bracigliano, but landed on top of the goal.

Rennes created another useful opportunity after 24 minutes when Briand received the ball in the area, but had his effort smothered by Bracigliano.

Nancy fought back with a well-worked free-kick 10 minutes before half-time. Benjamin Gavanon fired in the set-piece from 30 yards which keeper Nicolas Douchez was forced to palm away.

Les Rouges et Noirs fought back after the interval, and Thomert again forced a smart save from Bracigliano with a free-kick in the 62nd minute.

The 28-year-old goalkeeper was called into action seven minutes later when he parried Briand's shot on the turn after Jerome Leroy provided the pass.

Hansson's double-footed tackle on Hadji in the 83rd minute soured a good Rennes display and provided the home side with an opportunity to snatch three points.

Despite being out-played for long periods of the game, substitute Moncef Zerka almost gave Pablo Correa's men a sneaky win when his snap-shot from Gavanon's free-kick narrowly went wide of the right post.