Nancy failed to take full advantage of Lyon´s surprise defeat to Caen but they did close the gap on the league leaders to four points after a goalless draw against Valenciennes.
In a poor game with few chances the hosts will feel slightly aggrieved as they created the better openings.
Valenciennes will settle for a point which takes their unbeaten streak to four games and keeps them among the contenders for a European place.
The visitors nearly opened the scoring after three minutes when Jose Saez led a swift counter attack which resulted in him going one-on-one with Nancy keeper Gennaro Bracigliano who made a great save to brush the ball onto the post.
Nancy´s first chance came in the 32nd minute when Valenciennes´ goalkeeper Nicolas Penneteau failed to clear a corner and Youssouf Hadji headed narrowly over the bar.
Five minutes later Penneteau slipped as Benjamin Gavanon´s corner swung in and the ball hit the base of the post before bouncing clear.
Eight minutes after half-time Marc-Antoine Fortune had a great chance for the hosts but his mis-hit shot was easy for Penneteau to gather.
Gavanon´s free-kick on 63 minutes was only kept out by an instinctive reflex save from Penneteau.
Four minutes later Eric Chelle´s poor clearance fell to Chris Malonga but his 20-yard effort was punched away by the in-form Penneteau.
The draw maintains Nancy´s unbeaten home record in Ligue 1 this season, although it is only the second time in nine games at the Stade Marcel-Picot that they have failed to take maximum points.
