Sergio Pellissier fought back to earn a point at the Olimpico against struggling Lazio.

Davide Ballardini was under pressure again after Lazio's Coppa Italia exit midweek and they were seven points adrift of the Flying Donkeys. Sergio Floccari sparked a revival, but the January signing is out with a hamstring injury, joining Christian Manfredini, Mourad Meghni, Francelino Matuzalem and the suspended Stefan Radu in the stands. Chievo were fresh from defeating Juventus 1-0, a result that ended a run of three straight losses, and welcomed back Sergio Pellissier.

Lazio's curva was empty for the first 15 minutes with only a banner protesting against the club.

The Biancocelesti broke through with their first real effort. A Roberto Baronio corner kick was whipped in for Guglielmo Stendardo to tap in from six yards at the back post. The defender was left unmarked.

Mauro Zarate got himself into a good position only to aim a relatively weak angled drive straight at the goalkeeper.

Just before half-time Chievo went very close. Mario Yepes rose above the crowd to get his head to a free kick, bringing a difficult one-handed low save out of Muslera.

Chievo almost scored by accident, as Simone Bentivoglio's free kick took a massive deflection off the wall to loop inches wide of the target with Muslera was rooted to the spot.

Mauro Zarate attempted a spectacular solo run from the centre-circle and skipped past two defenders to pull back for Stefan Lichtsteiner, who rather too audaciously tried to flick it in with his heel from six yards.

Chievo equalised from a corner kick, as Gennaro Sardo touched on for Pellissier to volley at the back post. It was his sixth goal against Lazio in his career and a fine way to end his injury lay-off.

Lazio had penalty appeals in the final minute, but the ball appeared to strike Yepes on the shoulder and not the arm.