Vahid Halilhodzic's side built on that 2-0 win to eke out only their third league win of the season to add further proof that they had finally turned the corner after what has been their worst start in 20 years.

Last year's runners-up asserted their newfound authority when Sylvain Armand's high floating cross from the left found Fabrice Pancrate whose bullet header shot into into the top right corner of Stephane Porato's net with ten minutes on the clock.

PSG's Branko Boskovic, deputising for the injured Jerome Rothen, almost made it two but he fluffed a golden opportunity when failing to control the ball in front of an open goal deep into the first half.

Ajaccio began the second half in feisty fashion but the PSG defence stood firm.

Pauleta, who scored PSG's second goal against Porto, produced a superb header on the hour mark, but the ball rebounded and his second effort was safely picked up by Porato.

It was not all one way traffic with Ajaccio's Waldir Lucas Pereira watching in frustration as his header edged over Lionel Letizi's crossbar.

The welcome three points lifted PSG into 13th.

Earlier the David and Goliath battle between three-time champions Lyon and newly promoted Istres ended in a goalless draw.

On paper Istres looked easy meat for Paul Le Guen's highflyers but it was the modest provincial side who emerged the moral winners with a gutsy controlled display.

Lyon's Gregory Coupet was by far the busier of the two keepers and not even the expulsion of defender Brahim Thiam after a dangerous tackle on Lyon's Brazilian striker Nilmar in the 76th minute could deny Istres their deserved point.

Le Guen though can take comfort from the fact that his side -- 3-1 winners over Turkish side Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Tuesday -- remain unbeaten after 11 games and take the lead by one point from Lille, who have a chance to reclaim top spot against Toulouse on Sunday.