Brescia rarely threatened in the absence of top-scorer Andrea Caracciolo, and only an impressive performance from goalkeeper Alessio Cragno spared the visitors from the indignity of a heavy defeat.
Empoli’s grip on second spot meanwhile continues to look tenuous, with a goalless draw at Modena meaning it is now just one win eight outings for the Tuscan side. Simone Verdi registered the goal-shy visitor’s solitary shot on target, while a man of the match performance from goalkeeper Davide Bassi meant that a point was arguably a positive outcome.
A later winner from Manuel Turchi saw Virtus Lanciano move back up to third thanks to a 2-1 victory over Novara, while fifth place Trapani moved level on points with opponents Latina following a 93rd minute winner from Giuseppe Pirrone. Crotone meanwhile are up to sixth thanks to a 4-1 win at Reggina in a game that had remained goalless until the 65th minute.
Avellino and Cesena remain in the play-off places but both endured setbacks this weekend with respective 1-0 defeats to Bari and Siena. Meanwhile Pescara’s revival under new coach Serse Cosmi continued with a 1-0 win away at Spezia that leaves the Delfini just two points adrift of the top eight.
Towards the bottom of the table, Juve Stabia edged ever closer to relegation with a 3-2 home defeat to Ternana. It was the Vespe’s 18th defeat of a miserable season and left Piero Braglia’s side 16 points from safety.
Third bottom Padova meanwhile recorded their biggest win of the season with a 3-0 triumph over Varese, while relegation rivals Cittadella boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 win at home to Carpi. Both sides are now five points adrift of fifth bottom Novara, keeping alive the prospect of a relegation play-off come the end of the season.