There was not much to shout about on Sunday in Serie B with seven goals being scored in the seven games played.
The local derby between Frosinone and Latina was postponed due to fears over security but the other matches went ahead as planned with the most impressive result coming at the Stadio Angelo Massimino as Catania beat Avellino 1-0.
A penalty from Emanuele Calaio scored the all important goal from the spot as Avellino dominated but could not grab an equaliser.
The visitors had the better of the chances early on, and nearly took the lead when Mohamed Soumare ran down the line and put in a low cross that was nearly diverted in by Mariano Arini, but it was thwarted by Pietro Terracciano.
Then, Moussa Kone tried his luck from distance but it was straight down the throat of Terracciano.
Just before the break the Elefanti had their chance to take the lead as Calaio was bundled over in the box by Alessandro Fabbro and a penalty was awarded.
Calaio himself, stepped up and coolly guided his penalty in the left hand corner.
In the second half it was more of the same with the away side taking the initiative. Eros Schiavon beat his man on the left flank and fired at goal which was palmed away and the rebound from Paolo Regoli was also dealt with by Terracciano.
It was one way traffic and in the space of a few minutes Kone had two glorious chances to level terms. Firstly he blazed over from 10 yards and then from a tight angle had his strike tipped wide by the Catania keeper.
The hosts, against the run of play, nearly doubled their lead at the end as Lucas Castro jinked in the box and aimed his short towards the bottom corner but hit the foot of the post.
Despite even more late pressure from Avellino they couldn’t muster an equaliser and the game ended there. Catania have only helped themselves and their quest to avoid relegation, whilst Avellino have lost ground in the promotion chase.
Brescia moved off the bottom of the table on goal difference after they drew 1-1 with Trapani.
After a goalless first half, Sodinha put the Leonessa in front in the 62nd minute, but five minutes later Ahmad Benali was shown a straight red card.
With a quarter of an hour left, Antonino Barilla equalled proceedings to earn a point for Trapani and lift them up to 15th place.
That result meant that Varese went back to the bottom of the table after they drew 1-1 with Modena.
There was controversy in the first half after Pablo Granoche scored a penalty but had to re-take due to encroachment. The second time he had it saved by Filippo Perucchini down to his left.
Then, at the other end Martino Borghese put Varese in front with a well placed header at the back post.
In the second half Granoche had another chance to score from the spot and this time he did, putting it hgh in the corner to level the game. The result meant that Modena stayed in the same place in 13th.
Virtus Lanciano moved within one point of the play off positions after they beat Virtus Entella 1-0.
Paolo Grossi fired in the loose ball from the edge of the box into the top corner to claim the victory for Lanciano.
Bari defeated Pro Vercelli 1-0 despite having ten men thanks to a stunning free-kick from Nicola Bellomo.
Osarimen Ebagua was dismissed in the first half as he attempted an acrobatic effort and was deemed to have a high foot.
There were also two goalless draws in the games between Cittadella and Ternana and Perugia and Crotone to wrap up a pretty dull day of Serie B action.
