Bordeaux defeated Saint-Etienne 1-0 on Sunday to close the gap on the leading trio Lyon, Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain.
A 42nd minute strike from Diego Rolan, which 'handcuffed' goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier, lifted Willy Sagnol's side level on 40 points with Monaco and one point behind fourth-placed Saint-Etienne.
It was Bordeaux's first win at home since December 6, while Saint-Etienne failed to win in the league for the fifth straight outing.
"It's a great success against one of our direct rivals," said delighted Bordeaux coach Sagnol.
"We knew the importance of this match and could have been seven points back but now we're only one back which is within our capacities.
"It's a great satisfaction after our month of December and over the last two weeks we've had a lot of players come back from injury which is making competition for places intense," added the former France international defender.
Leaders Lyon, who are on 50 points and one above Marsille and PSG, are in action later Sunday away at Lorient.
Monaco have a game in hand after their Saturday match at home to Montpellier was postponed due to an unplayable pitch.
Source: AFP