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Balotelli kept quiet on return in Ligue 1

Despite Mario Balotelli's return, Nice have dropped more points in the French title race after drawing 1-1 at Corsican side Bastia.

Although Nice moved one point ahead of Monaco at the top of the league, prior to this weekend's matches, it was Nice's third-straight league draw.

Last weekend, it was held 0-0 at home by struggling Metz, with Balotelli suspended for that game.

Balotelli was on target from a free kick in injury time, but otherwise made only a fleeting impression against a motivated Bastia side that had midfielder Yannick Cahuzac sent off midway through the second half.

"It's definitely two points lost because we really had the chance to win this game," Nice midfielder Vincent Koziello said.

"Our final pass wasn't good enough. We had one or two chances but that's not enough."

Midfielder Prince Oniangue, who is on loan from second-tier English side Wolverhampton, scored on his Bastia debut in the 17th minute, prompting a raucous reaction from the home side at the compact 20,000-capacity Armand Cesari Stadium.

Right back Arnaud Souquet quietened them down when he equalised in the 33rd.

Balotelli has scored eight goals in 10 league games after joining on a free transfer from Liverpool, but none away from home.