Sampdoria's faint hopes of clinching a UEFA Cup spot suffered a blow when they were held to a goalless draw by Reggina at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium.
Walter Novellino's side are now six points adrift of sixth spot and the final European berth available via Serie A.
Reggina, meanwhile, lie just one point above the drop zone with three games remaining. Walter Mazzarri's side would actually have the same number of points as Samp if they had not started the season with an 11-point penalty for match-fixing.
The Genovese team showed more going forward on Sunday, but could not beat an inspired Andrea Campagnolo with Reto Ziegler and Fabio Quagliarella both denied by the Reggina goalkeeper.
Samp coach Novellino sprung a surprise with his teamsheet including young Croatian midfielder Vladimir Koman and only Quagliarella in attack.
Nevertheless, Quagliarella still managed to win enough of the ball to earn the first chance of the game, firing his 25-yard shot just wide of its target.
Reggina then took control of the game, and Novellino appeared to be visibly worried on the touchline.
With just 25 minutes on the clock, he made his first tactical switch, taking Koman off and introducing on-loan Tottenham midfielder Ziegler on the left wing.
The result was a better balance, and the home side were back on top.
They could not find a goal, however, despite fashioning no less than five attempts in the space of as many seconds just before the half-time interval.
Andrea Parola's shot was saved, Quagliarella had two efforts rebound off Reggina defenders and Gennaro Delvecchio's blast suffered the same fate.
Angelo Palombo then also fired wide from 25 yards.
That was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in a tight game which was lacking in clear-cut chances.
Switzerland international Ziegler's header from Delvecchio's cross early in the second half brought the fans to their feet, but Campagnolo dived low to make the save.
At the other end, Reggina's best opportunity fell to Rolando Bianchi, but his header was saved by Luca Castellazzi in a similar manner.
Novellino's second and final tactical throw of the dice involved thrusting 18-year-old striker Alessandro Romeo into the attack in place of Daniele Franceschini, but it had little effect on the outcome.
Whenever the Blucerchiati did find a way through the visiting defence, they could not get past the in-form Reggina goalkeeper Campagnolo.
And with almost the last touch of the game, Campagnolo made a fantastic reflex save to deny Romeo a dramatic last-gasp winner.
Reggina, meanwhile, lie just one point above the drop zone with three games remaining. Walter Mazzarri's side would actually have the same number of points as Samp if they had not started the season with an 11-point penalty for match-fixing.
The Genovese team showed more going forward on Sunday, but could not beat an inspired Andrea Campagnolo with Reto Ziegler and Fabio Quagliarella both denied by the Reggina goalkeeper.
Samp coach Novellino sprung a surprise with his teamsheet including young Croatian midfielder Vladimir Koman and only Quagliarella in attack.
Nevertheless, Quagliarella still managed to win enough of the ball to earn the first chance of the game, firing his 25-yard shot just wide of its target.
Reggina then took control of the game, and Novellino appeared to be visibly worried on the touchline.
With just 25 minutes on the clock, he made his first tactical switch, taking Koman off and introducing on-loan Tottenham midfielder Ziegler on the left wing.
The result was a better balance, and the home side were back on top.
They could not find a goal, however, despite fashioning no less than five attempts in the space of as many seconds just before the half-time interval.
Andrea Parola's shot was saved, Quagliarella had two efforts rebound off Reggina defenders and Gennaro Delvecchio's blast suffered the same fate.
Angelo Palombo then also fired wide from 25 yards.
That was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in a tight game which was lacking in clear-cut chances.
Switzerland international Ziegler's header from Delvecchio's cross early in the second half brought the fans to their feet, but Campagnolo dived low to make the save.
At the other end, Reggina's best opportunity fell to Rolando Bianchi, but his header was saved by Luca Castellazzi in a similar manner.
Novellino's second and final tactical throw of the dice involved thrusting 18-year-old striker Alessandro Romeo into the attack in place of Daniele Franceschini, but it had little effect on the outcome.
Whenever the Blucerchiati did find a way through the visiting defence, they could not get past the in-form Reggina goalkeeper Campagnolo.
And with almost the last touch of the game, Campagnolo made a fantastic reflex save to deny Romeo a dramatic last-gasp winner.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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