Champions Paris St Germain failed to raise to the occasion as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ligue 1 leaders Monaco at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.
Bernardo Silva’s stoppage-time goal cancelled out Edinson Cavani’s late penalty, allowing Monaco to stay top of the standings with 49 points from 22 games.
They lead Nice, who beat En Avant Guingamp 3-1 earlier on Sunday, on goal difference, and PSG by three points.
Monaco were the better team but could not make their superiority count, with Radamel Falcao and Fabinho both being denied by saves from Kevin Trapp.
The German keeper was replaced by Alphonse Areola early in the second half after he suffered a thigh injury.
PSG stepped up a gear after the hour and Djibril Sidibe brought down Julian Draxler in the box with Cavani sealing the win for the hosts from the spot with his 21st league goal, and his 29th in all competitions, this season.
Until then, PSG had only threatened through Cavani’s volley in the 11th minute.
As PSG seemed to be heading towards a lucky win, Silva was allowed space to advance and hit a low shot from 25 metres to beat Areola and hand Monaco a deserved draw two minutes into injury time.
Monaco host Nice next weekend with PSG travelling to Dijon.
Earlier, Nice were too strong for Guingamp as they briefly moved back to the top of the table.
A week after being the victim of racist abuse by Bastia fans, Mario Balotelli sealed a straightforward win.
Alassane Plea put the hosts ahead after a fine one-two with Valentin Eysseric in the 11th minute.
Jean Seri doubled the lead after being set up by Vincent Koziello seven minutes before the break.
Former France international Jimmy Briand reduced the arrears in the 63rd minute with an angled shot, but Balotelli wrapped it up for Nice three minutes from fulltime after collecting a through ball from Arnaud Souquet.
Olympique Lyonnais, who have a game in hand, are fourth on 37 points after slumping to a 2-1 home defeat to Lille on Saturday.
