Grenoble snatched a late point thanks to Laurent Courtois in a dramatic final six minutes at Valenciennes on Saturday night.
Gregory Pujol put VA ahead from the penalty spot after Laurent Batlles had handled in the area in the 84th minute.
Batlles was then dismissed for contesting the decision and the points appeared destined to remain with the home side, but Courtois struck in the final minute to level the scores.
Grenoble's pace caused problems for the Valenciennes defence from the outset.
Daniel Moreira ran on to Nassim Akrour's pass and the forward's shot was palmed away by goalkeeper Nicolas Penneteau.
Penneteau was pressed into action again moments later when Sofiane Feghouli's shot forced another smart save.
The hosts came back into the game as the half wore on.
Carlos Sanchez had their first sight of goal with a fierce 30-yard shot which flew inches wide of the left upright.
And Johan Audel should have put Valenciennes ahead when he raced clear of the Grenoble backline and bore down on Gregory Wimbee's goal, but he fluffed the chance.
Valenciennes continued to press after half-time and it required last-ditch defending to keep Grenoble on level terms.
Firstly, defender Martial Robin blocked Filip Sebo's header and then Jimmy Mainfroi cleared off the line from Milan Bisevac's six-yard effort.
The match then exploded into life with just six minutes remaining.
Valenciennes' greater ambition was finally rewarded when Batlles handled in the penalty area and Pujol calmly sent Wimbee the wrong way from the spot to put Grenoble in front.
Batlles refused to accept the referee's decision and his remonstrations earned him an early departure.
Valenciennes were gearing up to celebrate the victory but in the 90th minute Akrour - the architect of Grenoble's best moments - cleverly cut back for a lurking Courtois to hit a powerful shot inside the post.
