Pandev secures late point for Napoli

Pandev secures late point for Napoli

Published Jan. 22, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

Goran Pandev scored a late equaliser as Napoli rescued a point in a 1-1 draw at Siena.

Emanuele Calaio had put the hosts ahead in the 67th minute and Siena goalkeeper Gianluca Pegolo then kept out substitute Ezequiel Lavezzi's penalty kick after he was brought down inside the area by Siena's Gaetano D'Agostino.

Just when Siena looked to be heading for their fifth win of the campaign, though, Pandev pulled the visitors level with four minutes to go.

Napoli, who have mustered just two wins in their last six league matches, remain seventh in Serie A.

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Siena went into the game holding the final position above the relegation zone, after last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Parma, and this result sees them remain in 17th place.

Napoli enjoyed a strong start and almost took the lead in the 11th minute but Edinson Cavani's header from Andrea Dossena's cross went inches wide.

Midway through the first half, Pegolo kept out Cavani's drive from outside the area.

Napoli continued to press forward and on the half-hour mark, Hugo Campagnaro's close-range header went over the bar.

Despite their efforts, it was Siena that came closest to taking the lead before half-time as Calaio's 12-yard strike hit the crossbar with Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis beaten.

Siena went ahead after the hour mark. Calaio met Simone Vergassola's cross and his powerful header beat De Sanctis.

Napoli reacted and almost restored parity in the 77th minute, but Cavani's header from Lavezzi's cross was saved by Pegolo.

Pegolo then guessed correctly and kept out Lavezzi's penalty kick towards the bottom left corner.

Napoli did not give up and were rewarded when Pandev headed Andrea Dossena's cross past Pegolo.

The visitors had a chance to earn all three points one minute from time but Pegolo did well to clear Pandev's 12-yard strike.
 

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