Shootout victory spares Geret's blushes

Marseille survived a scare before knocking out amateurs Besancon on penalties in the French Cup on Sunday. Marseille, who have won the Cup a record 10 times but have not triumphed since 1989, struggled on a frozen pitch away to opponents playing in the fourth division. The game was level at 1-1 after extra time and Marseille won the shootout 5-4, midfielder Benoit Cheyrou scoring the decisive penalty after an effort by Besancon striker Yohann Rangdet was blocked by the Marseille keeper Steve Mandanda. "My players did what they could in very difficult conditions," the Marseille coach Eric Gerets said after a game played in freezing temperatures. "That pitch was really, really hard."