Taka Morimoto wasted several great chances as Napoli scraped a point away to Catania.

The Partenopei were flying after three wins from four games with Walter Mazzarri at the helm, including a 3-2 away to Juventus last week. They faced a Catania side that had lost three on the trot and missed the suspended Matias Silvestre, Ciro Capuano and injured Pablo Barrientos, Gennaro Delvecchio, Sciacca, Andrea Campagnolo, Jorge Martinez and Spolli.

Napoli played with an all-silver strip, but the Sicilians had the first chance when Taka Morimoto flashed an angled drive wide, perhaps while having his shirt tugged. Giuseppe Mascara's header into the ground bounced over from seven yards and later he side-footed a free kick wide from six yards, as Catania dominated the early play.

Christian Terlizzi foolishly received Catania's 46th booking of the season for throwing the ball away after a free kick.

Napoli lost Walter Gargano to injury after 33 minutes and he made way for Michele Pazienza.

A crucial deflection from Grava stopped Morimoto from connecting with a free kick from six yards, as it gave Morgan De Sanctis enough time to latch on.

Catania were also forced into a substitution before half-time, as Bellusci limped off to weaken an already decimated defence.

The Elefantini had a great triple chance, but couldn't bundle it into the net! Morimoto had a couple of shots charged down and the move continued with a smart Mascara ball over the top, but again the Japanese international fired straight at the goalkeeper from point-blank range.

Straight after the restart Morimoto wasted another opportunity, as the cross from the left was slightly deflected and he nodded wide from six yards.

Moments later Napoli had their first real chance when Potenza missed a long ball and allowed Lavezzi to go clear on goal, but Mariano Andujar stood his ground and parried with his legs.

De Sanctis had to palm away a Cristian Llama free kick, then the goalkeeper had his gloves stung by another Llama blockbuster from distance. The Napoli shot-stopper rushed out of the box to nod away from Morimoto.

Catania lost another crucial player to an injury, as the on-form Llama pulled up during a sprint clutching the back of his thigh and made way for Gianvito Plasmati.

Quagliarella volleyed wide and was substituted moments later, visibly annoyed at the decision and his own teammates. Lavezzi nearly scored from a poor clearance in stoppages, but overall Napoli can be content with coming away from Catania with a point.