Captain Jose Fonte's header deep into the game saved a crucial point for Ligue 1 leader Lille in a 1-1 draw against Strasbourg at home on Sunday, while fellow title-contender Lyon missed the chance to cut the gap after a 1-1 tie at Marseille.

Christophe Galtier's Lille, bidding for its first major title since winning the domestic double in 2011, stayed at the top of the standings two points ahead of defending champion Paris Saint-Germain, and three clear of Lyon.

The in-form Monaco, who beat PSG 2-0 last week, continued its momentum as Stevan Jovetic and Kevin Volland were on target to secure another 2-0 win for Niko Kovac's side.

Monaco sits in fourth only four points off the frontrunner.

Strasbourg did cause some trouble for Lille as striker Ludovic Ajorque slotted home from Frederic Guilbert's cross to put the visitor in front.

It was the 37-year-old Portugal center-back Fonte who stood out to level the score for Lille, heading in a Benjamin Andre cross from the left with only four minutes left in regular time.

"We need to talk to each other. I know attackers are capable of scoring, as are our midfielders who know how to take initiative. Maybe we need to sacrifice ourselves more for the others," said Fonte after the match.

"The truth is we are first. There are 11 games left. If we do our job we can be in the fight," the veteran defender added.

Karl Toko Ekambi struck his 12th league goal of the season to open the scoring for Lyon at Stade Velodrome. But Arkadiusz Milik converted a penalty from Lucas Paqueta's handball to equalize for Marseille just before the break.

Lyon was reduced to ten men with 20 minutes left as Paqueta was sent off for receiving his second yellow card of the match. Dutch forward Memphis Depay thought he had scored the winner in the 83rd minute but was ruled offside. 

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