Lyon's Champions League hopes hit by loss to Lens
Paulo Fonseca's men remained seventh, outside the European places, after failing to respond to wins earlier in the weekend for top-four rivals Monaco, Nice and Strasbourg.
Runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain are already assured of the title.
Just four points separate second-placed Monaco from Lyon, although third-placed Marseille host sixth-placed Lille later.
The top three will qualify for next season's Champions League, with fourth securing a spot in the qualifying rounds.
Goduine Koyalipou fired Lens into the lead midway through the first half after Lyon failed to clear a corner.
Lyon pressed for an equaliser but struggled to create any clear-cut chances until Georges Mikautadze met Clinton Mata's deep cross with an excellent header into the far corner with 11 minutes remaining.
The Georgia striker has 17 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for Lyon this season despite not always being first-choice.
The visitors snatched all three points when substitute Anass Zaroury hammered a spectacular strike into the top corner from long range in the 85th minute.
Elsewhere, Le Havre gave their hopes of survival a boost with a 2-1 win at Auxerre.
Le Havre, who occupy the relegation play-off spot, are now just one point behind both Angers and Nantes.
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