Widespread reports of manager Liam Rosenior’s potentially imminent departure to take charge at Chelsea had come on the back of a run of just one win in six league outings for Strasbourg.
They set about putting that right here, making a strong start that was rewarded with an early lead.
Le Racing were awarded a penalty for a foul by Kojo Peprah on Abdoul Ouattara inside the area, and Joaquin Panichelli kept his cool to sweep his 10th Ligue 1 goal of the season into the bottom-right corner from 12 yards.
Nice responded well, with Mike Penders keeping out Tiago Gouveia before Sofiane Diop somehow hit the foot of the left-post from inside the six-yard box.
Claude Puel’s men continued to be the dominant force as the first half went on, but ultimately they were unable to find a breakthrough and trailed at the break for a sixth successive league game.
The hosts’ momentum continued after the restart, and their equaliser arrived within 10 minutes of half-time when Melvin Bard picked out Elye Wahi with a pinpoint pass, and the forward managed to work the ball onto his right foot before bending an effort into the corner to mark his Nice debut with a goal.
Strasbourg were on the ropes and nearly fell behind twice in quick succession after the equaliser through Morgan Sanson and Wahi, but both efforts were kept out by brilliant saves by Penders.
As the final whistle approached, the contest was far more end-to-end, with both sides having opportunities to grab a winner.
However, neither side were ultimately able to find the crucial third goal and the game ended in a draw, denying Puel a winning start to his Nice tenure.
They’re just six points clear of the drop zone, while Strasbourg missed the opportunity to climb into the top six, remaining in seventh place, three points behind Rennes, having played a game more.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Melvin Bard (Nice)
