Giuseppe Rossi scored both goals, including one from the penalty spot, to earn the Gialloblu three much-needed points at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.

It was only their sixth win of the season and although Parma remain in the bottom three, they are now level on points with Chievo, who hold the final position of safety.

Vince Grella - who has struggled with knee hamstring problems in recent months - made the field, albeit for just nine minutes. Grella came on as a substitute for Francesco Parravicini.

The result will not be welcomed by Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli however, with his team five points adrift of the European places with six matches remaining.

The Viola made the trip to Parma without injured midfielder Mario Alberto Santana and defender Alessandro Gamberini, who was suspended following his red card in the 1-0 victory over Tuscan rivals Siena last weekend.

Pivotal midfielder Domenico Morfeo had to be content with a place on the Parma bench after struggling with a muscle problem in the build-up to the match.

Both teams took their time to settle, but it was the hosts who created the first real chance of the match after 20 minutes.

Paolo Castellini's cross was only half cleared by defender Manuel Pasqual, allowing Igor Budan to rifle in a shot which was blocked on the line by Per Kroldrup.

Parma then had another opening seven minutes later, but this time the visitors were unable to close ranks.

Budan once more picked up a pass in the centre of the box and shrugged off the attentions of Kroldrup before laying the ball off to Rossi, who swept his shot past advancing goalkeeper Sebastien Frey.

Fiorentina were still struggling to get out of their own half, but gave Parma a scare five minutes before the interval when an Adrian Mutu free-kick produced a fine save from Luca Bucci.

Luca Toni then pounced on the loose ball, but his effort was ruled out for being offside.

Chances remained at a premium after the interval, but the Viola almost found themselves back on level terms after 70 minutes when Martin Jorgensen passed to Mutu, allowing the Romanian striker to drill in a shot which was turned onto the post by Bucci.

And moments later Jorgensen played in a perfect corner for Giampaolo Pazzini, but the substitute could only direct his header wide of the target.

It was the nearest Fiorentina had come to an equaliser, and the missed chances came back to haunt them two minutes from time when Pasqual hacked down Daniele Dessena in the area.

The referee pointed to the spot, and there was little Frey could do as Rossi powered home his second of the game to seal a vital win.