Siena were beaten 2-1 at Palermo, who remain in the UEFA Cup qualifying spots, after Eugenio Corini and Andrea Caracciolo put the Sardinians in control before Maccarone pulled a goal back.

Siena`s defeat gave Reggina the chance to clamber out of the relegation places and they did just that after a magnificent comeback at Empoli.

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

With several teams still in the mix to join Ascoli and Messina in Serie B next season, Parma helped their cause with a creditable goalless draw at Lazio.

Claudio Ranieri - linked with the managerial vacancy at Manchester City - has masterminded Parma`s recent resurgence but, despite his best efforts, they still find themselves in trouble, two points ahead of Siena.