St Etienne maintained their hopes of European qualification thanks to a slender 1-0 win against relegated bottom-club Troyes.Les Verts had to wait as late as the 75th minute to take the lead as Neal Maupay hit a first-time volley beyond Matthieu Dreyer from a Valentin Eyserric corner.It was all that the hosts deserved after Dreyer had kept the scores level with smart stops from a Loic Perrin header and Oussama Tannane among others.But Troyes almost stole a surprise point late on when Corentin Jean beat Perrin before powering an effort at goal but Stephane Ruffier did well to turn the ball away.