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Football

Monaco snatch late draw to go top


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Monaco's players celebrate their second goal during their second half comeback against Ajaccio.

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MONACO, France -- Monaco staged a remarkable fightback from 3-0 down against Ajaccio to snatch a 3-3 home draw to go to the top of the French first division on Friday.

The Champions League quarterfinalists were inspired by Congolese striker Shabani Nonda, who led the rally after the interval where they trailed 3-0.

Nonda, returning to the team after an eight-month injury lay-off, scored from Ludovic Giuly's cross on 50 minutes.

Giuly then had a goal disallowed for off-side five minutes later but Monaco reduced the deficit further after 67 minutes thanks to a fine drive from Jaroslav Plasil.

Ajaccio, fifth from bottom of the table, looked set to return to Corsica with the three points but Croatian international Dado Prso had other ideas as he was left unmarked in the area to power home a right-foot drive past Stephane Trevisan in goal in the sixth minute of injury time.

Both Prso and Nonda had been half-time substitutes as Deschamps looked to conserve their energies ahead of the Champions League quarterfinal second leg clash against Real Madrid, in which they trail 4-2, on Tuesday.

But facing a 3-0 deficit, they were pressed into action with Spanish international Fernando Morientes ruled out on the eve of the game after picking up an injury in his country's international win against Denmark on Wednesday.

Monaco wasted a handful of good opportunities before Ajaccio made them pay for their wastefulness.

Bernard Diomede released Patrice Loko to open the scoring in the 25th minute with Martial Robin adding the second from a free-kick in the 36th minute.

Robin then added the third goal four minutes from half-time with a 25-metre shot which was too hot for Monaco goalkeeper Tony Roma.

Defending champions Lyon, a point behind Monaco, can reclaim the lead on Saturday with a win at home against Marseille.


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