Serie B action round-up

The penultimate round of games before the Christmas break kicked off on Friday evening in Padova where high-flying Cesena were the visitors. The contest was decided seven minutes from time as Andrea Soncin grabbed the games only goal to give the home side a shock win. On Saturday, leaders Lecce played host to Ascoli. A dull goalless draw was superseded by a fair-play award given to Ascoli coach Beppi Pillon for his sporting gesture seven days earlier in his side’s home defeat to Reggina. Ancona close the gap at the top to just one point after a comfortable 2-0 home win over Brescia. Andrea De Falco and Matias Miramontes were on target for Alessandro Salvioni’s team. Result of the weekend belonged to Sassuolo, who produced a shock 0-1 win in Torino to heap more pressure on new coach Mario Beretta. Alessandro Noselli notched up his eighth goal of the campaign to send his side into third spot in the table. Frosinone recorded their second win in a week to get their season back on track. A 2-1 home win over Cittadella was achieved thanks to goals from Vicenzo Santoruvo and a penalty from Simone Basso. Antimo Iunco grabbed a consolation for the visitors. Modena’s recent good form came to a halt as they were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Mantova at the Alberto Braglia. Andrea Catellani put the Gialloblu ahead just before the break, but 15 minutes from time Simone Malatesta grabbed a precious equalizer to give his side a share of the points.

Empoli are just four points off top spot after a hard fought 1-0 win against Vicenza at the Carlo Castellani. An Eder penalty five minutes from time gave the Tuscans all three points. In Crotone, goals were certainly on the menu as Francesco Lerda’s men saw off the plucky challenge from Gallipoli in a 4-2 thriller. Brazilian Denilson put the hosts in front after just four minutes from the penalty spot, but the Giallorosso replied 11 minutes later through Ciro Ginestra. Goals from Nicola Beati, Elia Legati and a penalty from Archimede Morleo seemed to have put the game beyond Giuseppe Giannini’s men, but another penalty converted by Francesco Di Gennaro 13 minutes from time gave the visitors hope, but Crotone hung on to claim all three points. Salernitana and Albinoleffe shared the points at the Stadio Arechi, Gabriele Perico put the visitors ahead on 43 minutes but the lead lasted just five minutes as Mariano Stendardo levelled for the hosts. Piacenza’s recent revival ended after they were beaten 0-1 by Grosseto at the Leonardo Garilli. The Chilean Mauricio Pinilla grabbed the game’s only goal, his ninth of the season. Monday evening saw Reggina host Triestina in the pressure cooker atmosphere of the Stadio Granillo. Things started badly for the hosts when Emiliano Testini fired the visitors in front after only 11 minutes, but a brace from Simone Missiroli turned the game on its head and Biagio Pagano put the match beyond doubt 19 minutes from time.