Last season's runners-up Paris St Germain survived a nightmare start to come back from 2-0 down a minute from time and edge out second division Troyes 3-2 after extra time in the French Cup first round on Sunday.

Benjamin Nivet scored Troyes first goal in the 21st minute after a swift counter-attack and striker Helder Estevez made it two from the spot after he was brought down in the penalty area three minutes later.

PSG, who ended 2003 third in the Ligue 1 standings after a six-match unbeaten run, stepped up a gear in the second half and managed to force extra time in a desperate last rush.

Gabiel Heinze blasted a free kick under the crossbar in the 89th minute and Bartholomew Ogbeche equalised two minutes into injury time.

Troyes suddenly lost their composure and Portugal striker Pedro Pauleta sealed the PSG victory in the 95th minute, heading home a perfect cross from Fabrice Fiorese.

"The fans scored the winning goal because they supported us until the end," said Pauleta.

Ligue 1 champions Olympique Lyon, Cup-holders AJ Auxerre and winter champions Monaco eased to the second round but seven top-flight teams were eliminated. A record nine fell victims of a first-round onslaught in 1999 and 2003.

In difficult conditions, on a snow-sprinkled pitch, Monaco dominated their Ligue 1 head-to-head with Metz.

They opened the scoring on the hour through a well-struck 20-metre free kick by Vassilis Zikos. Ludovic Giuly made it 2-0 five minutes from time.

In the weekend's three other Ligue 1 head-to-heads, Strasbourg, Le Mans and Sochaux were ousted by Marseille, RC Lens, and Auxerre, respectively.

France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, who ended last season clearly out of favour at Old Trafford, was the toast of the town.

He celebrated his return to Marseille by saving twice and scoring once as his team beat RC Strasbourg 4-3 on penalties on Saturday.

Among the other top-flight casualties, Bastia and Ajaccio, the two Corsicans sides, were humbled 2-0 by second division Besancon and Gueugnon respectively on Sunday.

En Avant Guingamp went down 5-3 on penalties at fourth division Bayonne on Saturday.

Close

Today's Top News		Top Sports News
+Info minister: 'Opening up' for news, too ( 2004-01-05) +SARS case may have rat link ( 2004-01-05) +Curing capital's congestion by 2008 ( 2004-01-05) +U.S. rover wakes up to new day on Mars ( 2004-01-05) +Vice-minister: We have our principle and bottom line ( 2004-01-05)		+Celta coach Lotina apologises for 5-0 home defeat ( 2004-01-05) +Paris St Germain edge through after late fight-back ( 2004-01-05) +Wenger hails Arsenal response in Cup comeback ( 2004-01-05) +Barcelona slide goes on after 3-0 loss at Racing ( 2004-01-05) +Sporting close in on Porto with 3-1 derby win ( 2004-01-05)