Pedro Henrique was the derby minx once again as he scored the sole goal as Stade Rennais set aside FC Lorient in late fashion.
Polish international, Kamil Grosicki and previously suspended, Paul-Georges Ntep made their returns to the squad as Pedro Henrique and Benjamin Andre made way for them.
The returnee, Grosicki had the first shot on goal as he managed to cut inside and got a shot away from just outside the box. Fortunately for the away side, the shot continued to rise.
There was an immediate reply from Lorient as a similar opportunity appeared for Jordan Ayew. The Ghana international kept his shot low but went wide in a similar fashion.
Both teams retained a good spell of the ball without any reall danger to either of defences. Lorient's came close to panic though when a defensive mix up was able to put through Ntep and Habibou, but the offside flag was raised, settling any danger.
After that the game hit a long lull with little happening in terms of goal mouth action. Both teams shared possession but the strikers for both sides seemed isolated. Only half chances were entertaining both sides in the game - Ntep whipping in a ball along the ground, which was nicked by Habibou who directed it wayward.
Abdoulaye Doucoure, who was largely quiet for most of the first-half, sprung into life before the interval. The midfielder hit a tame effort from just inside the box which hit off Kone in defence and not long after the midfielder was in again. This time striking a better shot which was deflected into the direction of goalkeeper Lecomte, who parried.
Second Half Surge?
The second-half started with a booking as Lautoa took down Habib Habibou, who was pulling clear of the Lorient defence looking to score. Ntep had been quiet during the first-half and was feeling more isolated in the beginning of the second-half, as he was being doubled up on at any given time.
Rafidine Abdullah was substituted for Lorient as he picked up a suspected hamstring injury. Jordan Ayew created Lorient's best chance of the game when he was allowed to run deep into the Rennes box, only being stopped due to a last-gasp challenge by Mexer.
The away side took great confidence from that opportunity as Lorient went on to create another threatening chance. Decent passing play from the Lorient attackers managed to put through Raphael Guerreiro, who forced Benoit Costil to pull off an excellent save from his close effort.
Pedro Henrique replaced Kamil Grosicki in a like for like change as the home side searched for a goal. However, it was Doucoure who popped up once again when he strided forward from his own half, brushing aside any challenge from Lorient players. Kone finally caught up with Doucoure, fouling him just outside the box and received a booking.
Doucoure was looking lively once more as he put a teasing ball towards Habibou, who was waiting in the box. Unluckily, he couldn't control the ball with his chest and the ball rolled through to Lecomte. Rennes looked the most likely to score and kept pushing for a win, with a tight Lorient costless-kick briefly interrupting a period of Rennes dominance.
Hosiner replaced a poor Habibou as the home side needed a fresh look up top going towards the full time whistle. All hope looked lost for both sides to steal a win, but that wasn't the mindset of Brazilian substitute, Pedro Henrique. Ntep made a burst into the box towards the byline, cutting the ball back to the waiting Henrique who notched home from close range.
The full time whistle blew, beginning a sigh of relief for the Rennes fans. They had came through their second derby in the space of a week and haven't been defeated. The woe of Lorient continues and their fans will be desperate to pick up any points available. The win for Rennes put them up to seventh for the time being, one point behind rivals Nantes - whilst Lorient remain in a relegation place, sitting 18th.
A 3rd Breton derby in a row is up for Rennes in their next game as they travel to cup winners, Guingamp and Lorient host Lens.