Bologna enjoyed a strong start to the year by posting a 2-0 victory over 10-man Catania.
Substitute Nicolo Cherubin put the hosts ahead early in the second half before Catania lost Marco Biagianti to a red card 12 minutes from time and Marco Di Vaio sealed victory at the death with Bologna's second of the match.
The win sees Bologna pull six points clear of the bottom three while Catania stay eighth.
Maxi Lopez was included in Catania's starting XI despite speculation the Argentina striker could leave the Sicilian outfit this month, with Fulham and AC Milan among the clubs keen to acquire his services.
Bologna went into the encounter after just one win from their last seven games, and the home side could have taken the lead after two minutes when Di Vaio fed Nico Pulzetti but his shot was saved by Catania goalkeeper Andrea Campagnolo.
At the other end, Mariano Izco's powerful strike from 30 yards was kept out by Bologna goalkeeper Jean Francois Gillet.
Bologna should have gone ahead on the stroke of half-time. Robert Acquafresca got his head to Alessandro Diamanti's cross but his effort went over the bar.
The hosts picked up where they left off after the re-start and were rewarded in the 50th minute when Cherubin's header from Alessandro Diamanti's cross beat Campagnolo.
Catania, who have just one victory away from home, had a chance to equalise in the 70th minute but Francesco Lodi fired wide from 12 yards.
Biagianti was then given his marching orders after a late tackle on Bologna substitute Gaston Ramirez earned him his second booking.
With seconds remaining, Campagnolo did well to parry away Di Vaio's strike but the rebound fell to the veteran forward who ticked the ball beyond the keeper.
