There were a number of surprises as Italy’s second tier resumed following its winter hiatus, with the leading pack for the most part failing to rediscover the form that took them to the heady heights of the division.
Palermo were held to a goalless draw at home thanks to a stubborn performance from Modena, who picked up only their sixth away point of the campaign so far. There was a sign of things to come early on for the Rosanero, who saw an Abel Hernandez snapshot cleared off the line by Emilia Cionek with 15 minutes played.
There was further frustration shortly before half time when Granddi Ngoyi’s powerful close range header crashed against the crossbar and away to safety, and that profligacy was almost punished when only a stupendous save from Samir Ujkani to keep out Salvatore Molina’s header prevented the visitors from taking the lead against the run of play.
Ujkani was again called upon to spare Sinisa Andelkovic the indignity of an own goal, with his misplaced header bound for the top corner, and having failed to put Modena keeper Carlo Pinsoglio under any real pressure during the second half, Giuseppe Iachini’s side were left having to content themselves with a point.
Further consolation arrived in the form of Empoli’s 2-1 defeat away to Latina. The Lazio outfit had looked the livelier of the two sides during the opening half, with Jonathas seeing a long range strike clip the outside of the post with Empoli keeper Davide Bassi left rooted to the spot.
Tavano – Empoli
The Tuscan side gradually found their rhythm however, and took the lead through Francesco Tavano’s close range finish with 15 minutes left on the clock.
The advantage was to last just four minutes as Bassi allowed a Jefferson header to squirm through his grasp, and the turnaround was completed in the 93rd minute when a mesmerising run and cross from Masahudu Alhassan presented Stefan Ristovski with the chance to head home a memorable winner.
A similar fate was to befall third placed Avellino, who took a 31st minute lead away to Novara through an Andrey Galabinov strike, only for second half goals from Marco Rigoni and new signing Marco Sansovini to secure a much needed win for the Biancoazzurri.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the weekend was reserved for Pescara, who edged in front early in the second half of their encounter with rock bottom Juve Stabia, before an 84th minute strike from Maurizio Lanzaro restored parity and a Samuel Di Carmine penalty deep into injury time gave the Vespe just their second win of the season.
All of which allowed Virtus Lanciano to make up ground on the sides above them with a 1-0 win over Brescia, Antonio Piccolo volleying home a decisive winner with just over ten minutes remaining. Cesena meanwhile moved back into the top six with a comprehensive 3-1 win away at Varese.
Elsewhere, Trapani’s excellent debut season in Serie B continued as they moved into the play-off places with a 2-1 win over relegation threatened Padova. Reggina picked up a vital three points against relegation rivals Bari, with midfielder Maicon grabbing the only goal of the game inside the opening minute.
Finally, Ternana picked up a useful three points with a 2-1 win away at Carpi, while a second half turnaround saw Spezia win by the same scoreline away to struggling Cittadella.
