Catania fell behind in the eighth minute when Roma's Mirko Vucinic struck the back of the net, but, after the hosts had hit the crossbar twice, Jorge Martinez finally notched a goal for the Sicilian outfit for a draw.

Luciano Spalletti's Roma looked as if they might pip Internazionale to the Scudetto as, for much of the game while they were leading, the Nerazzurri were being held to a goalless draw at Parma.

But Inter got two goals in the last half hour of their match, which meant the result in Sicily had no bearing on the top of the table.

Roma finish three points adrift of Inter while Catania held on to the last position of safety - one point above 18th-place Empoli.

Roma did not have their fans behind them at the Massimino Stadium after a city ban on travelling supporters attending the game.

Nevertheless they took an early lead.

Vucinic got past his marker and surged inside the area before firing a right-footed diagonal strike past goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri.

Stunned, Catania surged forward and almost levelled in the 17th minute.

Cristian Silvestri latched on to Juan Vargas' free-kick but his volley went high over the crossbar.

Midway through the first half, goalkeeper Alexander Doni did well to come off his line and anticipate Giuseppe Colucci who was ready to fire on target.

The Sicilians showed more aggression and their efforts almost paid off on the half-hour mark, with Rocco Sabato's cross finding an unmarked Martinez inside the box whose header fizzed just wide of the far post.

Roma replied with Vucinic serving Mancini whose effort went narrowly wide of the near post.

Catania thought they had equalised 10 minutes before the break but Doni made a stunning save from Giacomo Tedesco's close-range strike.

Roma should have gone into the break with a 2-0 advantage but Vucinic fired wide from close range after playing a one-two with Mancini.

The hosts picked up where they left off and Doni was forced to come off his line to clear Giacomo Tedesco's cross towards Takayuki Morimoto.

Morimoto twice had the opportunity to score but his first attempt went high over the bar while his subsequent effort was saved by Doni.

With news that Inter had taken the lead at Parma, Roma looked jittery and Catania almost punished them.

In the 65th minute, Marco Biagianti's 30-yard strike beat Doni but rebounded off the crossbar.

Catania coach Walter Zenga could not believe his team's bad luck with Morimoto's close-range strike saved by Doni while seconds later, the Japanese forward struck the crossbar with the Roma goalkeeper beaten.

With seven minutes to go, Catania thought they had equalised but Christian Terlizzi's goal was disallowed with Davide Baiocco called for offside.

But Catania's efforts were finally rewarded in the 85th minute.

Martinez took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to fire past Doni.