Le Mans ended Troyes' unbeaten start to the new campaign thanks to a stunning first-half strike from Frédéric Thomas at the Stade Léon-Bollée on Saturday.

This tightly contested match between two of the three sides promoted from Ligue 2 this season was eventually settled by Thomas’ superb solo goal three minutes before the interval.

The defensive midfielder picked up the ball just inside enemy territory, skipped past two challenges before unleashing an unstoppable right-foot drive which crashed home off the underside of Ronan Le Crom’s crossbar.

With both sides intent on attacking, Troyes could have equalised within seconds of going behind; Sébastien Dallet seeing his curling effort cannon off the post.

The second-half brought more of the same as winger James Fanchone and Brazilian striker Tulio De Melo both wasted chances for the hosts before Nicolas Florentin found the Le Mans woodwork for the second time.

The win sees Le Mans nestled comfortably in the top half of the table with eight points while Troyes are two points further back in 12th spot.

Le Mans: Y. Pelé - O. Thomas, Basa, Poulard, Bonnart (cap) - Fanchone (Périatambée 74), Hautcoeur, F. Thomas, Romaric (Matsui 74) - Lucau, De Melo

Troyes: Le Crom - Montero (Florentin 60), Boucansaud, Kouassi, Dujeux - Matuidi - Tourenne (cap), Nivet, Boskovic - Dallet (Nadé 46), Grax (Amzine 60)

Ref: J. Cailleux