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St Etienne held on to top spot in Group G after playing out an exciting 2-2 draw against second-placed Valencia in testing conditions at a snow-covered Stade Geoffrey-Guichard.

Brazilian forward Ilan twice put St Etienne ahead with contrasting first-half goals, but Valencia battled back both times thanks to strikes from forwards Fernando Morientes and Nikola Zigic.

St Etienne will be disappointed not to have taken all three points after creating a host of good chances, but they will be satisfied to have denied Valencia the chance to pip them to the group win.

Valencia had an early chance to draw first blood when the unmarked David Albelda side-footed wide from 12 yards out, but it was St Etienne who would take the lead in the 29th minute with a well-worked goal from Ilan.

1-0 Ilan 29′

1-1 Morientes 33′

2-1 Ilan 44′

2-2 Zigic 71′