Having surrendered top spot in Ligue 1 last weekend after a dramatic home defeat to Monaco, Pierre Sage’s men knew a positive response was needed in Strasbourg.
It was the hosts, however, who started on the front foot, as Julio Enciso saw an early strike superbly thwarted by Robin Risser.
Armed with the momentum, Le Racing didn’t have to wait long for a breakthrough, with Joaquín Panichelli latching onto Ismaelo Ganiou’s misplaced pass and lifting a sumptuous finish over Risser for his 14th league goal of the season.
Determined to find a swift response, Lens upped the ante before the half-hour mark, as Odsonne Edouard fired wide when well-placed in the box, while Adrien Thomasson and Wesley Saad missed the target with a pair of headers.
The visitors continued to threaten in the final third as half time approached, but Edouard spurned two glorious opportunities from close range, ensuring Strasbourg retained their slender advantage at the break.
Having won seven of their last eight competitive trips (L1), Les Sang et Or remained in the ascendancy at the start of the second period. Mike Penders stood firm in the hosts’ goal, though, with the Belgian shot-stopper denying Matthieu Udol and Florian Thauvin in quick succession.
Undeterred, Lens’ pressure finally paid dividends in the 62nd minute when an unconvincing punch from Penders found Mamadou Sangare on the edge of the box, and the Malian midfielder swept a brilliant first-time finish into the bottom corner to restore parity.
Strasbourg thought they’d been awarded a penalty just minutes later when Malang Sarr was adjudged to have fouled Panichelli in the box, but referee Clément Turpin overturned his decision after being sent to the on-pitch monitor.
That set up a fascinating finale for both sides, as Abdoul Ouattara saw a low strike smartly saved by Risser, while at the other end, Abdallah Sima blazed over from close range.
Ultimately, a winning goal proved to be elusive, as Lens dropped further points in the Ligue 1 title race, while Strasbourg missed the chance to move into the top six.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Wesley Said (Lens)