AMSTERDAM – Nantes wasted an early Alejandro Bedoya opener on Sunday evening, conceding twice in the final 10 minutes to suffer a 2-1 home defeat to Caen.
Working from the No. 10 spot, Bedoya took advantage of a high-bouncing long throw to stab home from close range in the 11th minute. It was his first goal since December and second of the season. He also completed 26 of 31 passes.
However, the Canaries would give up a penalty kick 10 minutes from time and a last-minute Caen winner to slip a rung to 10th place.
Across the border in Germany's Bundesliga, John Anthony Brooks and streaking Hertha Berlin moved eight points clear of the relegation quicksand with a 2-0 home victory against Paderborn.
For the game, Brooks completed 62 of 72 passes, with nine link-ups that pushed the team into the attacking end. The US defender, who led Hertha with three clearances at the back, also went close to piling on with a late goal, only to nudge a doorstep effort wide in the 83rd minute.
Sunday's win bumped the capital crew two places to 11th. Brooks & Co. are now 3-0-2 with four shutouts in their last five games.
One level down, Alfredo Morales left near the hour with what appeared to be a left thigh knock as league leaders Ingolstadt stayed three points clear at the summit thanks to a 2-0 win over visiting FSV Frankfurt.
The US midfielder enjoyed an active shift before needing treatment on his leg in the 56th minute. Just nine minutes in, Morales buzzed the frame with a long distance try and he would nod another shot off the bar two minutes before the break.
After temporarily going down with an ailment, Morales stuck around long enough to help Ingolstadt score their insurance tally. His diagonal lob feed was taken down by Thomas Pledl for Lukas Hinterseer to lash home the 58th minute capper.
The Audi boys posted their first win in four to keep out of reach from lead chasers Kaiserslautern and Darmstadt, who were also victorious on the weekend.
Elsewhere, Andrew Wooten and Sandhausen inched closer to securing 2.Bundesliga safety despite settling for a 1-1 home share with Union Berlin.
The right winger was a busy bee for 87 minutes, taking part in several dangerous rushes. Scant moments before being removed, Wooten had head in hands from firing over from a great position inside the Union area. Nevertheless, Sandhausen now stand eight points clear of the danger line with seven matches left.
In English Premier League action, Brad Friedel served as back-up netminder in Tottenham's 0-0 draw at Burnley. The veteran is deputizing for Michel Vorm while starter Hugo Lloris recovers from a knee injury.
Finally, in Sweden, Heath Pearce watched on from the home dugout as IFK Göteborg opened the new Alssvenskan season by edging guests Åtvidaberg 1-0.
