Smith was the hero for Motherwell with his penalty save
Motherwell have Graeme Smith to thank as their Uefa Cup hopes remain alive despite a narrow defeat away to Nancy in France.
The goalkeeper stopped a second half Issiar Dia penalty, which would have given the hosts a 2-0 lead.
Pascal Berengeur got the only goal of the game five minutes before half-time with a well-directed header.
And although not threatening the Nancy net, the scoreline means 'Well have all to play for at Fir Park in two weeks.
In excess of 2000 Motherwell fans had made the trip to the north-east of France for their club's first European foray since 1995.
Both clubs had made an indifferent start to their domestic league campaigns, with only ten goals between them from five games each.
McGhee hopes for better at Fir Park
On their home patch Nancy started with confidence, but the Steelmen were organised with caution in mind.
Bob Malcolm was brought in to reinforce the midfield, and John Sutton cut a lonely figure up front as manager Mark McGhee deviated from his regular three-pronged attack.
And after losing two very early goals to Celtic on Saturday, Motherwell would have been pleased to see out the first quarter without Smith having any saves to make.
Stephen Hughes won his fitness battle to take up his place in midfield, but was beaten to the ball by Gennaro Bracigliano, who raced out of his goal to smother David Clarkson's header forward.
It was not until 30 minutes into the game that Nancy strung some passes together, but the French side found the route to goal densely packed with claret and amber shirts.
And just as it looked like Motherwell would make it to half-time on level terms, the home side took the wind out of the Steelemen's sails.
Helder delivered a cross towards the penalty spot, and Berengeur stole in in front of Keith Lasley to direct a glancing header past Smith into the bottom corner of the net.
The goal lifted Pablo Correa's men, and shortly afterwards Monsef Zerka attempted an audacious chip from distance, which Smith held easily.
Mark McGhee's men appealed strongly for a penalty on the hour mark, when Clarkson fell in the box as Dia followed in close pursuit.
But the Slovakian referee waved play on, and video replays showed contact was minimal.
At the other Smith kept Motherwell in the tie with two excellent saves to keep the visitors in the tie.
First, the Steelmen's goalkeeper blocked low with his feet from a fierce Dia drive, then he backpeddled to tip a vicious dipping Zerka effort onto the bar and over.
And Smith made another critical contribution on 72 minutes, after Mark Reynolds hacked down Julien Feret for a Nancy penalty.
Dia stepped up to place the spot kick low to Smith's right, but the Motherwell number one guessed correctly to make a fantastic stop, and the tie remains finely poised for the return leg on 2 October.
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