Les Gones failed to break down a stubborn home defence at the Stade du Ray on Saturday, meaning title rivals Bordeaux can reduce the gap at the summit to just two points with a win at Marseille on Sunday.

Nice are notoriously difficult to beat at home, though, and Juninho reckons a point is not such a bad reward.

"We are a little disappointed because we wanted to win and pull a little further away from Bordeaux, but to pick up a draw here remains a good result," said the Brazilian, one of two Lyon players to hit the woodwork on Saturday.

"There wasn't a good rhythm to the match. Because of the heat, the teams could not step on the gas too much.

"We struck the bar but they also had chances on the counter-attack.

"We know the championship is not over. We know Bordeaux have the chance to narrow the gap. If they win (against Marseille), they will have proved they deserve to be champions because it isn't easy to win at Marseille.

"I hope that Marseille play well, the same as they did against us."

Jeremy Toulalan, with a superb 30-yard volley, was the other Lyon player to hit the bar, while Karim Benzema also missed a couple of chances to add to his 19 goals this season in the league.

Coach Alain Perrin said: "Nice have one of the best defences in the championship and we saw why. Their defensive presence caused us trouble.

"We created several decent opportunities but we couldn't succeed in making the most of them.

"We will wait for the result between Marseille and Bordeaux so we know what we need to do."

Lyon, who play at home to Sedan in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France in midweek, have two games left in the league as they close in on a seventh successive title.

They play Nancy at home next weekend and finish with a trip to Auxerre in a fortnight's time.