Lazio 1-1 Chievo

Lazio's Serie A woes continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Chievo at the Stadio Olimpico.

Chievo striker Sergio Pellissier scored a 77th-minute equaliser to cancel out Guglielmo Stendardo's 18th-minute opener.

The result is of little consolation for the Romans, whose troubles in Italy's top flight continue.

The outcome leaves Lazio in 15th position in the standings, just two points clear of the drop zone while Chievo climbed nine points above the bottom three.

Lazio coach Davide Ballardini went into the game under pressure after a disappointing week for his side. Last weekend's 3-0 loss at Atalanta ended Lazio's unbeaten run in 2010 while a few days later, they were knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Fiorentina.

Ballardini made several changes to his line-up with Julio Cruz replacing Tommaso Rocchi to partner Mauro Zarate in attack.

Lazio dominated possession in the early stages and broke the deadlock in the 18th minute.

A defensive error by Chievo allowed Cruz to head the ball towards an unmarked Stendardo whose close-range shot beat Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino.

The hosts continued to surge forward and missed a good chance to extend their lead shortly after with Zarate getting past two defenders before firing a right-footed strike from the edge of the area which was saved by the goalkeeper.

Chievo should have levelled the score in the 39th minute but Mario Yepes' powerful header from Michele Marcolini's cross from the right was saved by Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

At the other end, Aleksandar Kolarov tried his luck from long range and his 30-yard bullet strike went wide of the far post.

The hosts continued to dominate possession after the restart but failed to put a good move together and were almost punished on the hour mark.

Pablo Granoche latched onto Andrea Mantovani's cross from the right and his header from the centre of the area went wide of the near post.

The visitors never lost hope and earned two corners soon after but Lazio's defence did well to clear.

In the 68th minute, Lazio were almost stunned when substitute Simone Bentivoglio's free-kick took a deflection off the wall and went wide, much to the relief of Muslera.

The visitors pushed forward in the latter stages of the game and had a good chance to draw level when Bentivoglio's penetrating ball found Pellissier inside the area, whose right-footed strike was cleared by Muslera.

With Lazio offering little opposition, Chievo's efforts were rewarded with 13 minutes to go soon after.

Gennaro Sardo's header from a corner proved an assist for Pellissier at the far post, who fired in from close range past Muslera.

Stunned, Lazio reacted but time ran out for the hosts as Chievo held on for a point.