Heading into the game, the relegation-haunted hosts were in 16th place and only a point above the danger-zone, but Marchini's double coupled with results elsewhere, lifted them up to 11th on 40 points.

David Suazo had fired them into an early lead, but the Giallorossi, who were crowned Coppa Italia winners on Thursday, hit back courtesy of a Francesco Totti penalty.

But on-loan Marchini had the final say scoring in the 39th and 67th minutes at the Stadio San Elia, before Totti grabbed his 200th career goal late on, but it was too late as Marco Giampaolo's men held out to move three points clear of the final relegation place.

Just over two days ago, Roma had lifted the cup after completing a 7-4 aggregate victory over Scudetto winners Internazionale at the San Siro.

However, they looked to be suffering the after-effects of that victory from the start.

They fell behind after just 12 minutes when captain Suazo pounced on some indecision from the Roma defenders and slot home Davide Biondini's cross-goal pass from close-range.

Five minutes later, Simone Pepe had an excellent chance to double the lead, but was denied at final moment by Matteo Ferrari's sliding challenge as the forward was about to pull the trigger.

At the other end, Simone Perrotta missed a glorious equalising opportunity when he failed to hit the target from two yards after being played in by Rodrigo Taddei, before Totti's opener.

A free-kick by the Italian international looked to have struck the arm of Biondini, leading the referee to award a penalty and Totti converted.

But the Sardinians were back in front six minutes before half time, Pepe leading a pacy counter-attack, which ended with Marchini's powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area that gave Gianluca Curci no chance.

Immediately after the restart, Biondini threaded an excellent ball through to Suazo, whose shot was straight at Curci as the Rossoblu looked the more threatening.

And the pressure finally told in the 67th minute, Biondini again heavily involved as his neat pass to Marchini inside the penalty area was cannoned home from six yards.

Totti then saw another 25-yard free-kick excellently block by Antonio Chimenti, before the Cagliari goalkeeper kept out Aleandro Rosi's close-range header.

However, Roma hit back in the 85th minute, when Totti unleashed a powerful right-foot shot to convert Ricardo Faty's cross from close range and net the 200th goal of his impressive career.

It came too late to save the result for Roma though, as Cagliari held on for the point that effectively secures their top-flight status.