UPDATE 2-Soccer-Nantes out of danger zone with win over Nice

* Once-great Nantes leave relegation zone

* Toulouse, Lille hurt chances of Champions League spots

* Top three teams playing on Sunday

(Updates after late action)

PARIS, April 18 (Reuters) - Eight times French champions Nantes eased their fears of an immediate return to the second division on Saturday with a 2-0 home win over Nice which took them out of the Ligue 1 relegation zone.

Nantes, relegated in 2007 after a record 44 consecutive years in the top flight, won through a first-half goal by Cameroon striker Christian Bekamenga and a late effort from Mali forward Mamadou Bagayoko.

Nice played most of the second half with 10 men, defender Gerald Cid receiving his marching orders for a second booking on 56 minutes.

With six matches left, the club from the Atlantic port city climb two places to 16th in the 20-strong league.

Toulouse and Lille did their chances of earning a Champions League spot no favours with away defeats by Grenoble and St Etienne respectively.