Paris Saint-Germain salvaged a point with 10 men as they drew 0-0 at struggling Reims on Saturday but still increased their Ligue 1 lead after Marseille lost 2-1 at home to last-placed Ajaccio.
Both PSG and Marseille rested starters with an eye on midweek Champions League games and their showdown next Sunday.
Marseille came a cropper despite Dimitri Payet's 100th Ligue 1 goal. PSG escaped with a draw despite Sergio Ramos' 28th career red card.
PSG coach Christophe Galtier made five changes from the team that drew 1-1 away to Benfica in midweek, and his side spent much of the first 40 minutes on the back foot.
Reims pressed but struggled to create clear-cut chances, while PSG were dangerous on the counterattack.
"I know Sergio Ramos well, I am not convinced that the insult that came out was in the direction of the referee. It is a training-ground insult that you hear a lot on the field in Spain. The referee took it personally and sent him off," said Galtier
Reims, who had collected six red cards, comfortably the most in Ligue 1 this season, struggled to exploit their advantage.