The hat-trick of the Englishman gives Toulouse eight points ahead of Ajaccio, who are now almost certain to return to Ligue 1 next year with six games remaining.

Auxerre and Sochaux follow three and four points behind Corsica, but Paris FC will have the opportunity to get back on the podium on Monday by beating Dijon.

Téfécé could have doubted after the jewel of Breton Mehdi Merghem, a curled shot from the left 20 meters to lead 2-1 (34th), but did not let go, carried by the festival of his star duo of Ligue 2: the Dutchman Branco Van Den Boomen, twice decisive passer for the championship's top scorer, Healey.

Earlier, Ratao had opened the scoring in the 15th minute before serving the same Healey before the break for the Toulouse equalizer, who responded to a magnificent curling shot from the left 20 meters from Breton Mehdi Merghem (2-1, 34th) .

Ajaccio (second, 61 points) pushed hard before breaking the Pau shell (2-1), largely the fault of Béarn goalkeeper Stefan Bajic, a high added value rookie from Saint-Etienne.

But Jean-Philippe Krasso took advantage of a mess (59th) to disinhibit his people before driving the point home (73rd).

AJ Auxerre (third, 58 points) scored the only goal very early on through their left-back Théo Pellenard (9th) before turning their backs in front of Valenciennes (1-0), imitated by FC Sochaux (fourth, 57 points), winner on the same score against the red lantern Nancy.

ASNL received two red cards, coach Albert Cartier sent to the stands before half-time and Baptiste Valette, the goalkeeper for a handball at the very end of the match.

© 2022 AFP