The visitors, sitting 11th, arrived at the Allianz Riviera after an impressive 2-0 win at Reims last weekend, so they will have largely been content with how the early stages unfolded, as Nice were unable to create much in a game desperately lacking attacking quality.
Indeed, the first shot of the match came in the 25th minute as Hamed Traoré, Auxerre’s leading goalscorer this season, saw his effort comfortably claimed by Marcin Bułka, before Nice got their noses in front on 38 minutes.
Gaëtan Laborde saw his strike deflected behind by Gabriel Osho, with the resulting corner from Tom Louchet nodded on by Laborde and headed in at the back post by Evann Guessand, via an intervention by the unfortunate Kévin Danois. The goal was awarded to Guessand though, making that his 12th in all competitions this term.
Nice ended the first half strongly and were largely comfortable at the start of the second period, with Traoré’s curler wide the only moment of concern.
Hicham Boudaoui’s overhead kick would have been a spectacular way to double the hosts’ advantage on 54 minutes, but the shot went over, before Melvin Bard also missed the target with a presentable opportunity not long afterwards.
Bard then could have been the assist maker, but his teasing ball agonisingly drifted behind Boudaoui, while at the other end, Traoré was again thwarted by Bułka.
The aftermath of that effort by Traoré saw him go over on his right shoulder and duly replaced by Lassine Sinayoko as part of a triple Auxerre change, before Bard could have been awarded a penalty following a risky challenge by Sinaly Diomandé and Louchet failed to beat Donovan Léon.
Auxerre really pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages however, and after Mohamed Ali-Cho wasted an opportunity to make it 2-0 and Bard was sent off, Ado Onaiwu’s precise through ball was finished excellently by fellow substitute Florian Ayé deep into stoppage time.
Auxerre’s wait for consecutive Ligue 1 away wins for the first time since October 2010 therefore continues, but they will have a spring in their step when they return home to face bottom-of-the-table Montpellier after the international break, with Nice travelling to fellow top-three challengers Monaco earlier that weekend.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Youssouf Ndayishimiye (Nice)