Ismaila Sarr cancelled out Wahbi Khazri's opener as Saint-Etienne held Rennes to a 1-1 draw.
Khazri converted from penalty spot to give the Greens an early lead four minutes after kick-off.
But Sarr ensured Rennes avoided a fifth Ligue 1 defeat this season with a fine finish in the 32nd minute. Although had Hatem Ben Arfa converted a 66th-minute penalty, they would have bagged their fourth victory in the league.
The effort increased the Senegal youngster's tally to three goals in seven league matches this term while his Tunisian counterpart notched his fifth goal in nine league outings.