Virtus Lanciano served notice of their refusal to give up on automatic promotion with a stunning victory over Avellino that lifted them back up to third and closed the gap on the top two to just two points.
The Abruzzo outfit had occupied top spot for a lengthy spell earlier in the season before a run of inconsistent form saw them fall away sharply prior to the winter break, however a rampant first half display hinted that Marco Baroni’s side could be getting back to their best.
Avellino meanwhile reached the dizzy heights of third before the winter hiatus, but had failed to pick up a win in their three games since, as was evident in their sluggish start.
A speculative overhead kick from Andrey Galabinov sailed harmlessly wide of the post as the hosts looked to gain the early advantage, but they were stunned in the 22nd minute when a long range effort from Marcel Buchel bobbled unkindly over the wrist of Pietro Terracciano before nestling in the bottom corner.
The hosts had barely had a chance to catch their breath before they were two down, with Buchel seizing upon a catastrophic defensive error from Saulo Decarli before cutting the ball back into the path of Umberto Germano, who gleefully slammed the ball home.
The Rossoneri were finding gaps in the Avellino defence seemingly at will, and effectively sealed the points in the second minute of first half stoppage time when Buchel lifted a looping cross into the six yard box and Federico Amenta planted home and unstoppable header.
Avellino made more of a fight of things during the second half, with Luigi Castaldo heading home from close range to offer a glimmer of hope with 20 minutes remaining, but wayward finishing from substitutes Raffele Biancolino and Camillo Ciano undermined their attempts of forcing the issue late on.
An excellent weekend for Virtus Lanciano was made even better by the failure of the top two to win. Goal-shy Palermo were held to a goalless draw away at Cesena in a scrappy encounter that saw the Rosanero reduced to nine men and with goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino to thank for a stunning first half save that ultimately salvaged a point.
Tavano – Empoli
Empoli meanwhile had to come from behind to rescue a point at harm to Carpi, with Francesco Tavano’s expertly taken second half penalty cancelling out Riccardo Gagliolo’s headed opener. Like Avellino, the Tuscan side are still without a win since the turn of the year and are in danger of surrendering their grip on an automatic promotion spot as a result.
Elsewhere, Trapani stay sixth but were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw away at relegation haunted Reggina, while Latina moved back into the play-off places with a 1-0 win over Cittadella. Spezia are likewise back in the top eight following a 3-1 home win over an out of sorts Crotone.
Brescia surrendered the lead late on to draw 1-1 at home to Ternana, while a 94th minute winner from Hernan Dellafiore gave Siena the points against Juve Stabia and reignited their push for the play-offs. Pescara however continue to sink like a stone having been dealt a fifth straight defeat at the hands of Varese.
Finally, Padova emerged as 1-0 victors over relegation rivals Novara courtesy of Manuel Iori’s second half spot kick, as Michele Serena’s side looked to build on the promise of last week’s performance against Palermo.
