Reports — The recent poor form of Super Eagles left full back, Taye Taiwo may have taken a toll on him at his French club side Olympique Marseille as he was conspicuously missing in Marseille's line up in Saturday's defeat at Valenciennes.

Taiwo's position was manned by former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, Gabriel Heinze.

Valenciennes twice came from behind to end Marseille's unbeaten start to the season in a pulsating Ligue 1 clash.

The south coast side twice took the lead, through Fernando Morientes and Mamadou Niang, in the first half, but both times were pegged back, courtesy of levellers from Milan Bisevac and David Ducourtioux.

And VA's persistence was rewarded when they snatched all three points nine minutes from time when Rafael Schmitz headed home.

Marseille were first to threaten when Morientes set up Lucho Gonzalez, whose ball was dummied by Brandao to allow Niang to volley goalwards, but Guy Rolland N'Dy Assembe made the save.

VA countered and Johan Audel's effort was blocked by Marseille keeper Steve Mandanda.

The first goal came after 13 minutes, some neat play from Lucho and Gabriel Heinze setting up Brandao to serve Morientes, who finished from the centre of the box.

VA levelled seven minutes later, Mandanda saving Schmitz's initial diving header from Renaud Cohade's corner only for Bisevac to follow up and convert.

Parity lasted just two minutes before Niang scored a similar goal at the other end, following in after N'Dy Assembe had kept out Morientes' header from Benoit Cheyrou's corner.

Just seven minutes later Valenciennes were level again as Siaka Tiene released Audel on the left and the latter crossed for Ducourtioux to head home.

The second half was a little less frantic, but there were still chances for both sides.

A deflected Audel strike went narrowly wide for VA, while Niang missed a good chance for Marseille and N'Dy Assembe dived to keep out Lucho's effort.

The winning goal came when Cohade's free-kick was headed home by Schmitz, but Mathieu Valbuena wasted a great chance in stoppage time to snatch a point.