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Strasbourg claimed a draw with 10-man Lens at the Stade de La Meinau on Sunday after Mickaël Pagis cancelled out Aruna Dindane's first-half opener.
Still winless after seven games, Jacky Duguépéroux's side may feel they should have done better against a Lens outfit that was forced to play the entire second half with 1à men follwing the sending-off of international midfielder Alou Diarra.
No sooner had Ivory Coast striker Aruna Dindane given the visitors the lead with an accurate header from Yohan Demont's free-kick than the Sang et Or relinquished the initiative with Diarra's rush of blood. Having already been booked for an earlier foul Diarra slid in dangerously on his opposite number Sidi Keita and gave Mr Fautrel no option but to brandish a second yellow.
Strasbourg continued to dominate possession in the second period and were rewarded for their patience when last season's top scorer Pagis rose to head home the equaliser from Arthur Boka's cross on 62 minutes.
The homeside pushed for the winning goal, but despite the odd moment of desparation creeping into the Lens defence Charles Itandje held firm to take a well-earned point back north.
The draw sees Strasbourg stay 19th wedged between eastern neighbours Metz and Nancy at the foot of the table, while Lens climb into fourth on 12 nts, five from the leaders Lyon.
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