Bologna 0-1 Cagliari

Alessandro Matri struck the winner as Cagliari ended the rot on the road by edging Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.

Matri's strike in the 66th minute was enough to see the Sardinian outfit record their first win on their travels since October 29.

The outcome lifts Cagliari to ninth in the standings while it leaves Bologna in 17th position, one point clear of the drop zone.

Bologna went into the game looking to bounce back from their 1-0 slip at Catania and they enjoyed a good start.

Adailton tried his luck from distance in the third minute but his rasping 25-yard effort was saved by Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.

At the other end, Daniele Dessena's right-footed strike from outside the area did not trouble Bologna goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano.

The hosts demanded a penalty in the ninth minute after Marcelo Zalayeta fell inside the area after a contest with Dessena but the referee booked the striker for diving, much to the anger of the Bologna fans.

Cagliari had a good opportunity in the 12th minute but Andrea Cossu's powerful strike from the edge area was met by a fine clearance from Viviano.

Midway through the first half, Marchetti was forced to come off his line to anticipate Marco Di Vaio, who was ready to fire from Gaby Mundigayi's assist.

Bologna should have broken the deadlock in the 26th minute.

Di Vaio latched onto Andrea Raggi's cross only for his central header to go over the bar.

Despite their efforts, it was Cagliari who should have gone in front before half-time.

Matri got past his marker, surged inside the area and struck past Viviano only for his effort to be cleared by Daniele Portanova on the goalline.

Bologna showed more determination after the restart and were almost rewarded in the 49th minute.

Zalayeta got past two Cagliari defenders and fired a right-footed strike towards the near post which was parried away by Marchetti.

Shortly after, Zalayeta acted as provider and served an unmarked Di Vaio inside the area, but his powerful strike went wide.

Bologna were punished for their missed chances as Cagliari took a shock lead in the 66th minute.

Matri slotted Andrea Parola's cross towards the far post to beat Viviano.

Bologna went close to levelling shortly after when Zalayeta surged down the right flank before putting in a lovely cross which Di Vaio was just unable to connect with.

With 10 minutes remaining, Adailton tested Marchetti with a bullet strike from 25 yards which the keeper palmed away for a corner.

The hosts continued to surge forward and substitute Henry Gimenez fired wide from 20 yards out as the Rossoblu got closer.

Franco Colomba's side should have rescued a point deep in stoppage time.

Substitute Massimo Marazzina got behind his marker, surged inside the area only to fire a weak effort that did not trouble Marchetti.