The Tuscan side now trails the Rossoneri by six points with Milan having won their game on Saturday evening against Cagliari.

With five rounds remaining, Empoli, who only won promotion last summer, will attempt to play well enough to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

They are currently in fifth place but with Palermo taking on Parma later on Sunday, the Sicilian team could leapfrog them in the table.

As for Torino, Serie A survival is anything but secure.

They will gladly take a point away from home which has left them four clear of the bottom three with six rounds remaining.

Empoli had the better of the first half and did get a sniff of goal on three occasions but failed to capitalise.

Ighli Vannucchi and Luca Saudati combined well in the 35th minute but were thwarted by Ivan Franceschini and Toro keeper Christian Abbiati, who put the ball out for a corner.

Then in the 42nd minute, Empoli won a free-kick on the edge of the Torino box.

Sergio Almiron stepped up and lashed in a hard drive that forced Abbiati to concede a corner.

What followed was Antonio Busce spurning another good chance from Vannuchi's cross, his header going narrowly over.

Three minutes into first-half injury time and Empoli had their third chance.

Pressing strongly, Busce put in a teasing cross but Toro's Oscar Brevi was able to head the ball out for a corner

After a tense and very tight first half, the game remained goalless.

Once play resumed after the interval, Torino finally fashioned a chance and it came in the 47th minute.

Alessandro Rosina's corner found the head of Roberto Stellone but he directed his attempt narrowly over the Empoli bar.

The visitors began to assert themselves more as the half wore on, and on the hour mark, Empoli keeper Davide Bassi had to react smartly to deny Stellone as the Torino front man met Simone Barone's cross.

Empoli fans had their hearts in their mouths in the 71st minute after Torino were awarded a free-kick from the edge of the area.

Alessandro Rosina curled in his free-kick and it crashed against the angle of the home team's goal.

Empoli then raced away on the break after the ever-active Busce pounced on the loose ball.

Overall, the result was a fair one as it was definitely a game of two halves.

Even if Empoli do not go on to qualify for Europe, the 2006-07 campaign will be deemed a successful one for the club.

Surely if Torino avoid the drop, they too will be satisfied because for a long time this season they looked very good bets to be among the relegated.