Marseillaise rings out in Corsica as Gazelec bests Bastia in island Derby

Bastia - 'La Marseillaise' rang out in Bastia on Sunday ahead of the much-anticipated Corsican Ligue 1 derby won 2-1 by Gazelec-Ajaccio.

Tightened security checks were in place throughout France, just over a week after terrorist attacks in Paris and the Stade de France left 130 people dead and more than 350 injured.

And despite threats by Corsican nationalists to boo the French national anthem 'La Marseillaise' was sang with gusto at the Armand Cesari Stadium in Bastia in tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks.

The club's leading supporters group Bastia 1905 announced prior to the game that they would not enter the stadium until after the national anthem.

Only one solitary whistle could be heard in the stands during the rendition, before the Corsican chant "Diu vi salvi Regina" was sung and followed by the release of 130 white balloons, and a blue one for a club official who died the day before the attacks.

In a match which had been postponed from Saturday because of strong winds in the Mediterranean island, Brandao opened for the hosts after five minutes following good work by midfielder Julian Palmieri.

But 14 minutes later Cameroon international striker Jacques Zoua got the visitors on level terms, slotting home a penalty awarded when Bastia goalkeeper Jean-Louis Leca fouled Khalid Boutaib in the box.

Boutaib missed a golden chance to put the visitors ahead with half an hour to go but alone on front of goal it was Leca who won the duel.

Ten minutes later Boutaib made no mistake volleying in following a pinpoint David Ducourtioux headed cross.

The win away lifts Ajaccio out of the relegation zone with neighbours Bastia taking their place.