The former Champions League finalists' were undone by an 89th minute header from Nice's Brazilian midfielder Ederson shortly after he had come on as a replacement for Marama Vahirua.

"This is a huge disappointment, a moment of sadness for us" said Monaco coach Francesco Guidolin who will now be pinning his hopes on compensation in the UEFA Cup.

Nice's reward is a date in the final against the winner of Wednesday's semi between Nancy or Le Mans.

Monaco's hopes of lifting the French Cup were shelved last week by fifth division Colmar.

Aside from the UEFA Cup Monaco will now be concentrating on securing automatic qualification to Europe next season and that looks an uphill struggle as they're lying only eighth in the league, ten points off second place which guarantees an automatic Champions League spot and currently occupied by Bordeaux.