Nice edge Montpellier thanks to teenager Boscagli's strike

The 18 year-old become the youngest player to score in French top flight this season after he reacted first to Vincent Koziello's shot - closing down Montpellier goalkeeper Laurent Pionnier to lash the rebound into the far corner.

Pionnier had better luck throughout the remainder of the contest - denying Hatem Ben Arfa and Paul Baysse to keep his side in the game at different points, although Hilton could not build on his keeper's good work as he missed Montpellier's best chance.

Indeed it was the home side who looked likeliest to score in the closing stages, but Ben Arfa and substitute Jean Seri both failed to hit the target when presented with clear-cut openings.

It was a valuable win for Nice, who had won just two of their previous eight league matches and were looking to rebound from an early exit from the Coupe de Ligue - against Guingamp - in midweek.

The result means Montpellier remain 13th, seven points behind their vanquishers.