Livorno 3-1 Sampdoria

Livorno slowed Sampdoria's charge for European football and picked up three vital points for themselves.

Antonio Cassano had put Sampdoria ahead after 15 minutes, but Nelson Rivas equalised six minutes before the break and Tomas Danilevicius had Livorno ahead early in the second half.

Samp piled forward in a desperate bid to end a barren run away from home that stretches back to September 13, but instead it was Danilevicius who sealed victory with an injury-time strike.

Fernando Tissone had an early long-range sighter easily held by Livorno goalkeeper Alfonso De Lucia as Sampdoria sought to end their away struggles.

At the other end, Luca Castellazzi had to make a smart reflex save after only 14 minutes to keep the ball out of the Sampdoria net as Cristian Raimondi's cross deflected off Pietro Accardi and span towards goal.

Sampdoria then quickly broke, and Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini combined to split open the Livorno defence to allow Cassano an easy finish.

But Livorno responded well to the setback, and enjoyed the bulk of the chances for the rest of the half.

Antonio Candreva drilled a shot towards the right-hand corner of the net in the 27th minute, forcing a good save from Castellazzi.

Eight minutes later, Danilevicius was guilty of wasting a fine chance as Antonio Filippini sent in a good cross only for the front man to miss it completely.

However, they were level in the 39th minute when Rivas headed Candreva's free-kick into the top right-hand corner of the goal.

Cassano went close to putting Sampdoria back in front moments before the interval but De Lucia made a great diving save to keep the ball out.

That missed opportunity proved costly as Livorno took the lead only two minutes into the second half, Danilevicius latching on to Raimondi's header to fire in from close range.

They might have had another two minutes later, but Rivas' header was kept out by Castellazzi.

Sampdoria had got the wake up call and started to pile on the pressure.

Daniele Mannini fired wide from inside the area after good work from Pazzini.

Then it was the turn of the Italy striker to crash a shot against the right-hand post from close range.

Cassano then played a great ball for Pazzini, but Leonardo Miglionico made a great interception to clear the danger.

Cassano's corner kick was headed over by Marius Stankevicius as the chances continued to come for the visitors.

Sampdoria goalkeeper Castellazzi had barely been involved, but he was called on to make a fine save in the 74th minute, using his right foot to keep out a close-range header from Nico Pulzetti.

Back at the other end, De Lucia saved from Cassano after a neat move with Claudio Bellucci.

The Livorno goalkeeper then made another good save to keep out Mannini's goalbound shot from 25 yards.

Having hung on so heroically against the onslaught, Livorno then wrapped up the points in the 93rd minute as Danilevicius tapped in Davide Marchini's cross.

The win lifts Livorno five points clear of the drop zone, but teams below them have games in hand following the weekend's postponements.