The draw means that instead of being third bottom going into the last week they are level on points with 18th-placed Siena and - with the two head-to-head matches cancelling each other out - they have a far better goal difference than the Bianconeri.

Ighli Vannucchi, Davide and Luca Saudati gave Empoli a 3-0 lead inside 23 minutes. Luca Vigiani began the revival after the break and then two goals including a penalty from Nicola Amoruso completed the comeback.

Reggina, who host Champions League finalists AC Milan in their last match, would have normally been safe already were it not for an 11-point deduction for match-fixing but Siena could yet come to regret the single-point penalty for missing a tax deadline.

Reggina created the first chance at the Stadio Carlo Castellani when Maurizio Lanzaro headed wide after a cross by team-mate Pasquale Foggia.

The Tuscany hosts took the lead after nine minutes when Nicola Ascoli set up Vannucchi whose right-foot shot from outside the area found the bottom-left corner.

Reggina's Giacomo Tedesco then forced a fine save from Empoli goalkeeper Davide Bassi.

At the other end, Andrea Campagnolo was then called into action to foil Sergio Almiron who had fired in a powerful right-foot shot from outside the penalty box.

The second goal was finished off by Moro after good approach play by Saudati who two minutes later added the third.

Antonio Busce was the supplier with Saudati finishing the goal off from close range.

Amoruso was wayward with two shots as Reggina tried to get a foothold in the game but Empoli nearly made it 4-0 when Saudati struck a post after good work from Moro.

Next it was Reggina's turn to hit the woodwork with Lanzaro heading Foggia's corner against the bar.

It was 3-0 to the hosts at the break but the cliche of "a game of two halves" would prove apt.

After 52 minutes Reggina were back in the game when Vigiani headed home a Tedesco corner.

Four minutes later it was 3-2 when Vigiani's cross was headed into the net by Amoruso.

Reggina defender Alessandro Lucarelli headed a Foggia cross goalwards only for Bassi to save spectacularly.

Saudati missed a chance to give Empoli a two-goal cushion and then Moro was denied by Campagnolo as the Tuscany club looked to kill the game.

The equaliser came seven minutes from time after Fabrizio Ficini fouled Lucarelli with Amoruso making no mistake from the spot.

Empoli could have snatched it but Moro's shot was wayward and Reggina held on to a point that could prove crucial.

Reggina will doubtless hope that Milan will be demob happy after the Champions League final next weekend but they could still end up paying the price for the misdemeanours of the past that have left them sorely handicapped this season.