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Reggina came back from 3-0 down to draw at the Stadio Castellani and give themselves hope of avoiding the drop, while the point is enough for Empoli to qualify for the UEFA Cup.
Both sides needed points, but for very different reasons. The Tuscans would secure a UEFA Cup spot with victory, while the Amaranto were straddling the relegation zone. Richard Vanigli and Davide Matteini sat out a ban.
A Maurizio Lanzaro glancing header was the first opportunity for the visitors after four minutes, but it was Empoli who took the lead in spectacular circumstances.
Ighli Vannucchi curled a right-foot effort of rare power and precision from outside the area that ricocheted in off the inside of the far post, leaving Campagnolo rooted to the spot.
The goalkeeper could perhaps have done better on Empoli's second goal, as Davide Moro drilled low from the edge of the area and it squirmed past Campagnolo at the base of the near post for his first Serie A goal.
Less than 60 seconds had passed before it was 3-0. Just as Reggina tried to fight back, Antonio Busce' went on the counter-attack, sliding the ball to the back for Luca Saudati to come flying in.
Vannucchi nutmegged substitute Gazzi and curled another fine strike over the bar, while Saudati's effort thumped the woodwork just before half-time.
Reggina finally made an impact as Tedesco's header looped on to the crossbar.
Substitute Luca Vigiani pulled one back for the Amaranto within seconds of stepping on to the field, his header at the near post from a Francesco Modesto corner kick.
Pasquale Foggia wanted a penalty against his former squad, but he only earned a booking for simulation and a ban for the final game against Milan.
But Reggina blew the game wide open when they went from 3-0 down to 3-2 in the space of just five minutes. Nicola Amoruso's diving header from six yards again showed Empoli's weakness at defending in the air.
It was anyone's game now at the Castellani and Amoruso just failed to get on the end of a low cross. Amoruso had a goal disallowed for a debatable offside flag, but Empoli lost both Vittorio Tosto and Nicola Ascoli to injury.
With six minutes to go, Iacoponi hauled down Lucarelli for a penalty. Amoruso converted under the bar, but it had to be repeated for encroachment. He picked a lower shot in the same area and although Bassi got the right angle, he couldn't prevent Reggina coming back from 3-0 down to 3-3.
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