The bottom club took an early lead but fell victim to three clinical strikes midway through the match, leaving them 13 points adrift of safety with just five games to play.

After Michele Fini opened the scoring for the hosts, two goals from Nicola Amoruso and one from Pasquale Foggia put the visitors from Reggio Calabria in charge. Substitute Massimo Bonanni pulled one back late on for Ascoli.

A dramatic final five minutes saw Reggina's Rolando Bianchi miss a penalty before Ascoli substitute Michelangelo Minieri was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

The hosts started in bullish mood and began their pressing almost immediately. Viktor Boudianski brought a fabulous fourth-minute save out of goalkeeper Andrea Campagnolo, who had to spread himself superbly to parry wide.

But it was not long before Ascoli's early attacking intentions bore fruit and they took the lead in the 15th minute.

Fini, who had earlier sent a free-kick over the bar, made no mistake with a second attempt, curling a superb effort from just outside the area round the Reggina wall and past Campagnolo to settle home nerves.

Ascoli should have doubled their advantage seven minutes later, but when Sasa Bjelanovic played in Stefano Guberti in acres of space, the latter bent his shot wide of the post.

And they were made to rue their wastefulness when the away side levelled matters in the 24th minute through Amoruso.

Foggia crossed in after some good work down the right wing and although Amoruso's initial header was stopped by keeper Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos the marksman was able to scramble home at the second attempt.

And Amoruso stunned Ascoli by grabbing his second just seven minutes later.

After tricking defenders on the left wing, he cut inside before lashing a shot across the goal and into the far corner, capping an excellent individual effort.

The second strike knocked the wind out of Ascoli's sails and they struggled to fully reassert themselves on the proceedings.

They were lucky not to concede a 36th-minute penalty when the ball appeared to strike Stefano Lombardi's hand in the box, but referee Gianluca Rocchi decided the contact was unintentional.

But Reggina's impressive comeback was not to be thwarted and they struck their third goal eight minutes after the restart.

The lively Foggia went on a mazy run which culminated in a powerful drive from the edge of the area which sneaked inside Eleftheropoulos' post and crushed Ascoli spirits.

They did receive a momentary boost when Bonanni's sensational left-foot strike flew into the top corner from all of 25 yards, but the goal proved little more than a consolation.

When Lombardi brought down Riccardo Nardini with five minutes remaining the referee pointed to the spot. Bianchi blasted wide however, to offer Ascoli a glimmer of hope.

Their chance was well and truly over just a minute later though when a frustrated Minieri made a second sloppy lunge and was given his marching orders.