Iaquinta made his name at Udinese under Spalletti but showed no sentiment to his old mentor by converting Giorgio Chiellini's 88th-minute throw-in to hand Juve a point from a pulsating 2-2 encounter.

The Bianconeri had taken the lead after 17 minutes through David Trezeguet but Francesco Totti's double handed the initiative to the home side.

Juve rode their luck at times although they can also point to a missed opportunity of their own when Alessandro Del Piero blazed a penalty over the bar at the start of the second half.

Roma had the first chance of the afternoon with Gianluigi Buffon having to produce a magnificent diving save to keep out a driven effort from Marco Cassetti.

After that early scare Juve settled and took the game to the hosts.

The visitors' intent was evident with Claudio Ranieri employing a three-man strikeforce of Del Piero, Iaquinta and Trezeguet.

And it paid early dividends as the trio combined for the opening goal.

Del Piero's pass set Iaquinta free down the right and his cross was converted expertly by Trezeguet for his 100th goal in Serie A. The France striker showed great desire to get across countryman Philippe Mexes and nod the ball powerfully down inside Alexander Doni's near post.

The home fans were screaming for a penalty at the other end seconds later but Alessandro Mancini was correctly adjudged to have dived, an offence for which he was shown a yellow card.

Del Piero came close with a curling free-kick before Roma hauled themselves level on the half-hour mark.

Mancini played a pass in from the left which Totti reached first before cleverly turning his marker, Domenico Criscito, and bending a delightful equaliser past Buffon.

The Giallorossi skipper added his second of the afternoon six minutes later.

Mancini got to the by-line before delivering a low cross which Alberto Aquilani turned towards goal. Buffon did well to block the close-range effort with his feet but the ball fell invitingly for Totti to fire home from close range.

A pulsating game almost took another twist two minutes later.

Pavel Nedved chipped a ball forward which Iaquinta nodded down for Trezeguet, whose clever dummy let in Del Piero. His shot was on target but Doni produced a fine parry to preserve the hosts' lead at the break.

The second half continued where the first left off with both sides pouring forward at a frantic pace.

Juve missed the chance to equalise within three minutes of the restart.

Nedved was brought down inside the area due to a combination of a trip by Cicinho and a nudge from Daniele De Rossi. Del Piero, however, casually placed his spot-kick high over the bar.

At the other end Roma ought to have made it 3-1 shortly after.

Rodrigo Taddei unbelievably volleyed over an open goal from six yards while only a fine double save from Buffon kept out a Totti free-kick and the follow-up from Mancini.

The tempo finally dropped and with Juve looking as though they had run out of ideas, it seemed as though the Giallorossi would extend their lead at the top of the standings.

Juve, however, were not to be denied.

Chiellini hurled in a long throw and, with the Roma defence sleeping, Iaquinta made his way to the near post before clipping a header over Doni and into the net.