Franco Vazquez was sent off as Palermo crashed out of the Coppa Italia 3-2 at home to Alessandria.
The Rosanero are two divisions above the Lega Pro side, but fell behind to Massimo Loviso’s penalty after a foul by Andrea Rispoli.
The strike came after four minutes, so the Sicilian side had plenty of time to recover, but Franco Vazquez added to their problems on 22 minutes.
The Italian international received a straight red card for an elbow on Alex Sirri, and Michele Marconi doubled the visitors’ lead just a minute later.
Franco Vazquez was sent off as Palermo crashed out of the Coppa Italia 3-2 at home to Alessandria.
The Rosanero are two divisions above the Lega Pro side, but fell behind to Massimo Loviso’s penalty after a foul by Andrea Rispoli.
The strike came after four minutes, so the Sicilian side had plenty of time to recover, but Franco Vazquez added to their problems on 22 minutes.
The Italian international received a straight red card for an elbow on Alex Sirri, and Michele Marconi doubled the visitors’ lead just a minute later.
Aleksandar Trajkovski put the 10-men back in contention after 55 minutes, but Gianluca Nicco appeared to have sealed the win when he made it 3-1 on 82 minutes.
However, Roberto Sabato was also given his marching orders with seven minutes left of normal time, and substitute Alberto Gilardino reduced the deficit to one goal.
Palermo pressed for an equaliser, but were ultimately unable to find a way past the Lega Pro side.
Alessandria therefore go into an unlikely Last 16 place, where they will face another Serie A side in the shape of Genoa.
Palermo 2-3 Alessandria
Goals: Loviso 4 (A), Marconi 23 (A), Trajkovski 55 (P), Nicco 82 (A), Gilardino 85 (P)
Palermo: Colombi; Rispoli (Morganella, 52), Andelkovic, El Kaoutari, Daprelà; Rigoni (Gilardino, 52), Maresca, Hiljemark; Vazquez; Quaison (Pezzella, 74), Trajkovski
Alessandria: Vannucchi; Celjak, Sosa, Sirri, Sabato; Nicco, Loviso (Mezavilla, 67), Branca; Iunco (Fischnaller, 57), Marconi (Bocalon, 61), Marras
Sent off: Vazquez 22 (P), Sabato 83 (A)