Still actively in search of consecutive European campaigns for only the second time in Strasbourg’s history, Martial Godo came agonisingly close to giving the hosts the lead after eight minutes as he launched a mid-range rocket only millimetres above the crossbar.
Their determined efforts to take the lead continued shortly after the quarter-hour mark as Julio Enciso also came agonisingly close with a header.
Gary O’Neil’s side’s unrelenting attacking play should have been translated into the game’s opening goal in the 21st minute.
However, Godo, now tasked with scoring Strasbourg’s goals after Ligue 1’s leading marksman Joaquín Panichelli was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, somehow failed to find the bottom corner.
There was further frustration for the attacker three minutes later, as his header managed to beat Yehvann Diouf but not the crossbar.
Nevertheless, Godo could finally celebrate in the 28th minute as some criminal defending allowed him to direct an unmarked header beyond Diouf.
The Ivorian’s improved frame of mind clearly transferred to his teammates eight minutes later as Enciso impressively doubled Strasbourg’s lead.
Put through on goal by Samir El Mourabet’s defence-splitting pass, the Paraguayan seized the opportunity as he left his marker flat out on the turf and went on to dribble around Diouf before rolling the ball into an empty net.
A disappointing first half for the visitors was compounded in the 42nd minute, as El Mourabet made it 3-0 with a stunning strike that soared into the top corner.
Actions were taken by Claude Puel to rectify the damage done at half time as he made three substitutions.
Still, despite the Nice manager’s best efforts to get his team back into the game, it should have been 4-0 four minutes into the second half, but Enciso somehow planted his header wide.
It took 63 minutes to call Mike Penders into the match, but Nice finally had their first noteworthy effort on target, with Elye Wahi firing straight into the arms of the Chelsea loanee.
That signal of intent from the visitors gave them late hope of producing a miraculous comeback as Antoine Mendy’s 82nd-minute strike sublimely found the bottom corner from a distance.
Ultimately, that proved to be nothing more than a consolation as Strasbourg expertly marshalled the remainder of the game to move to within three points of sixth-placed AS Monaco.
Meanwhile, Nice remain five points above the relegation play-off position, as they continue their underwhelming attempt to avoid playing in the second division of French football for the first time in over two decades.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Samir El Mourabet (RC Strasbourg)