Gabriel Heinze's first half header was enough to give Olympique Marseille a 1-0 win over northern rivals Paris St Germain in Friday night's 'La Classique'.

The glamour game was rescheduled from last month following an outbreak of swine flu which struck down three PSG players, including Jeremy Clement and Ludovic Guily.

With the Marseille police on high alert following the feared crowd trouble, Didier Deschamps' men started the match at a frenetic pace keen to show their commitment and desire to triumph in the French Clasico.

L'OM striker Brandao had the game's first real chance when he headed wide after just 60 seconds, whilst fellow striker Mamadou Niang also guided a downward header wide.

The fast starting hosts made their pressure count early on when former Real Madrid and Manchester Unitedl Heinze rose to nod home Fabrice Abriel's pinpoint free-kick in the 23rd minute for 1-0.

It was no more than l'OM deserved and last season's Ligue 1 runner-up almost doubled their lead at the end of the first half when Niang rattled the crossbar with a stinging drive from 25 yards out.

Despite the introduction of Ludovic Giuly and Jean-Eudes Maurice after the break, the Parisians produced little as l'OM began to settle on their slender one goal advantage.

They were given a scare late on when Maurice linked up with striker Peguy Luyindula and Giuly, but the 23-year-old fluffed his shot as Marseille held on comfortably for a 1-0 win.

After the match coach Didier Deschamps was full of praise for his sides hardwork and dogged determinism.

"We did what we needed to do, which was to take the three points," 'DD' was quoted as saying.

"I'd be happy to win every game 1-0. It was a tough match.

"We can savour this, especially as we have made up some ground on the leaders. We're now in a much more interesting position," he added.

The win coupled with Bordeaux's shock 1-0 defeat at home to Valenciennes, and Lyon's 1-1 draw away to Grenoble, moves l'OM up to fifth in the table on 22 points, four points behind surprise leaders Auxerre, who downed Monaco 2-0 at the Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps.

Check out Gabriel Heinze's winning goal which settled a tight affair between Marseille and bitter rivals PSG.