Abel Hernandez struck a late penalty to move Palermo four points clear at the top of the Serie B table on a weekend of frustration for the majority of the chasing pack.
Giuseppe Iachini’s side were widely expected to make short work of a Padova outfit that look increasingly destined for the drop with each passing week, but a combination of stubborn defending and lacklustre finishing saw the Rosanero largely frustrated throughout.
Pegging Padova back from the off, Eros Pisano spurned a gilt-edged chance to fire the hosts into an early lead having been found at the back post by Hernandez, with the midfielder miscuing his effort high and wide.
There were signs of encouragement for new Padova coach Michele Serena however, with Giovanno La Camera drawing a save from Stefano Sorrentino with a long range effort, while Daniele Vantaggiato twice went close from distance.
The visitors continued to pile on the pressure after the break but to little avail, with Wilfred Osuji somehow scooping an effort over the bar from an excellent position six yards out, and it was to prove costly as Palermo again asserted themselves on proceedings.
Hernandez went close with a header that just lacked the power to seriously trouble Padova keeper Luca Mazzoni, before a close range header from Sinisa Andelkovic forced a miraculous save from Mazzoni at his near post.
With proceedings heading towards a frustrating stalemate, a volleyed effort from Alen Stevanovic struck the upraised arm of Filippo Carini, and Hernandez made no mistake from the resulting spot-kick, sending Mazzoni the wrong way and slamming the ball into the bottom corner.
There was still time for Cristian Pasquato to fire over from distance, with the visitors also being reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Fabiano Santacroce for an off the ball incident, and Palermo held on for three vital points.
Second place Empoli meanwhile are still without a win this year having been held to a goalless draw by a resurgent Trapani. The Sicilians just about edged a closely fought first half and should have gone ahead through a Matteo Mancosu header, but the forward put his effort wide from an unmarked position six-yards out.
Simone Basso saw a header rebound off the post as the hosts continued to press after the break, but Roberto Boscaglia’s side had to be content with a point.
It was a similar scenario for third placed Avellino, who had to come from behind to secure a 1-1 draw away at struggling Ternana, while it finished one apiece in the clash between Virtus Lanciano and Cesena.
Crotone moved up to seventh with a 3-0 win over a woefully out of form Pescara, while Latina maintained their hold on the final play-off position with a goalless draw at Varese, with the two teams below them – Carpi and Spezia – playing out a 1-1 draw.
Further down the table, a penalty from Andrea Mazzarani deep into stoppage time gave Modena a first away win of the campaign courtesy of a 1-0 win over Cittadella, Bari moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win over Siena, and it finished one apiece in the clash between bottom side Juve Stabia and third bottom Reggina.
