Lens missed the chance to go level on points with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1 on Saturday as they needed a late equaliser from substitute Adrien Thomasson to draw 1-1 away at Troyes.
The northerners appeared to be heading for just their second defeat of the campaign after a goal from former Liverpool youth Yasser Larouci put Troyes -- coached by the ex-Australia international Patrick Kisnorbo -- ahead five minutes into the second half.
Yet Thomasson, a January signing from Strasbourg, came off the bench to prod in a rebound two minutes from time and earn Lens a draw at the Stade de l'Aube.
The result leaves Lens two points behind leaders PSG, who host Reims at the Parc des Princes on Sunday evening.
Third-placed Marseille can now climb above Lens on goal difference with a win at home to fourth-placed Monaco in Saturday's late game.
Earlier on Saturday, Marseille announced that they had reached an agreement to sign Moroccan World Cup star Azzedine Ounahi from Ligue 1 rivals Angers.
The fee for the midfielder is expected to be in the region of 10 million euros ($10.9 million).
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