Avellino defeated Spezia 1-0 at the Stadio Alberto Picco on Monday night in Serie B.
A ninth minute goal from Luca Bittante was enough for the visitors to claim the three points against Spezia, who ended up with ten men.
The home side were close to scoring in the opening minutes as the ball was played to Francesco Migliore but the full-back couldn’t bundle the ball in.
Then, down the other end the Biancoverdi took the lead after a perfectly weighted through ball fell to Luca Bittante who slotted the ball under the onrushing Leandro Chichizola.
The Aquilotti had a great chance to equalise but again Migliore failed to convert. A neat through ball from Andrea Catellani found the defender but his shot was weak and easily thwarted by Alfred Gomis.
Another chance fell to Spezia who were on top but this time it was their reliable striker Catellani that failed to score. His powerful effort from the edge of the box was well palmed away by Gomis.
Catellani was denied again minutes later as his half volley was straight at Gomis.
The away side had possibly the best chance of the game just before the break as Paolo Regoli played a ball across the box and from close range Gianmario Cojmi tried to flick the ball in but it was well saved by Chichizola.
After the break, it was still Spezia who were pressing the hardest and from a corner kick, Felice Piccolo showed great improvisation to volley at goal but it was deflected over.
Gomis was the saviour again for Avellino when Niccolo Giannetti headed at goal but, leaning back, his effort was too weak to beat the goalkeeper.
The Aquilotti were reduced to ten men just after the hour mark as Migliore received his second yellow card for a harsh handball decision.
It should have been two for the away side moments later. Mariano Arini burst into the Spezia box and volleyed at goal which was denied and then his rebound was hacked off the line by the covering defender.
The hosts were denied yet again by Gomis as Josip Brezovec fired from long range but it was palmed away by the shot-stopper.
The last chance of the game fell to Giannetti who headed wide of the post and Avellino grabbed quite a lucky victory that sends them into fourth position, leapfrogging their opponents.
