The visitors appeared content to let Marseille have the ball and pick their moments on the counter-attack in the early stages, but they were undone after 17 minutes.
A swift break from the back saw Adrien Rabiot pick out Quentin Merlin, who had the composure and skill to sit Lucas Chevalier on the floor before lifting the ball high into the net, igniting the crowd in the Stade Velodrome.
The goal also seemed to spark some life into Lille as they sought a leveller, but they were almost caught out again, as this time Mason Greenwood found space on the edge of the box for a low shot that tickled the outside of the post with Chevalier wrongfooted.
A big chance for the equaliser did come when Edon Zhegrova was slipped through on goal, but his audacious chipped effort drifted just wide of the far post and the hosts went into the break ahead.
A lively opening to the second half saw attacking intent from both sides, but Neal Maupay should’ve doubled OM’s advantage when he seized on a short backpass and skipped around Chevalier, but he hit the inside of the near post and the ball cannoned away to safety.
Bruno Genesio responded with a triple substitution just after the hour mark as he tried to inspire a way back into the game for the visitors.
The response was delayed as the onslaught only came in the final 10 minutes, but it paid off when Bafode Diakite looped a header beyond the despairing dive of Geronimo Rulli to snatch a point.
With six minutes of added time, the hosts went in search of a late winner, but that desperate approach instead manifested a straight red card for serious foul play from Pol Lirola in the dying moments.
Second-placed Marseille will be frustrated to only close the gap behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain to four points after leading for much of the game, while Lille remain in fourth, seven points away from top spot.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Quentin Merlin (Marseille)