Lazio have moved into Champions League contention after a hard fought win over Ascoli at the Olimpico. Goals from Belleri, Pandev and Foggia ensured the three points as the visitor’s relegation worries continue.

The clash kicked off six minutes late and with the home side looking for a third straight win. The 4-1 victory at Messina in Week 12 made the Biancocelesti hot favourites against a struggling Ascoli side.

The latter have only collected a draw from their last four games – a point netted against Fiorentina in Nedo Sonetti’s first game in charge seven days ago.

Lazio took just eight minutes to get the ball rolling as Balleri struck for the Biancocelesti. A Mauri effort was too hot to handle for Pagliuca and the defender was alert enough to knock the ball in on the line.

The Bianconeri, who had former Roma hero Delvecchio on the bench, equalised with a little help from their hosts. A Minieri cross from the right found its way into the back of the net with the decisive touch of Lazio midfielder Mauri.

It took only 10 minutes for Lazio to regain the lead though with a fine Pandev goal. The Macedonian beat two defenders and then the goalkeeper by firing his effort towards the far post. The former Inter man then came within inches of tapping in a cross from the right soon after.

The Olimpico boys went into the interval with the advantage, also because Fini’s 42nd minute shot was aimed at a centrally placed Peruzzi in between the home sticks.

The tie also saw two of the peninsula’s veteran goalkeepers face each other and the second half began with some miracle saves from the pair. Pagliuca made a fine double parry from Mauri and Mudingayi, while Peruzzi denied the away side an equaliser by frustrating Guberti who thought he’d done enough to score.

Ascoli started to increase the pressure as they looked for an equaliser against a Lazio side who were not looking in great shape. Boudianski wasted a 57th minute chance, but the Ascoli Piceno natives were finding it difficult to break down a side who were looking to kill the game.

Ascoli did have a chance to make it 2-2 though through Perrulli in minute 79, but his effort finished just wide of the post. That proved to be a costly error as Foggia wrapped up the victory late on. The on-loan Milan man rippled the net after coming on as a second half sub against his former club.

Lazio: Peruzzi; Belleri, Siviglia, Cribari, Zauri; Mudingayi, Baronio (Firmani 59), Mutarelli; Mauri (Makinwa 80), Pandev (Foggia 74); Rocchi

Ascoli: Pagliuca; Minieri, Cudini, Nastase, Pesce; Fontana; Fini (Pecchia 83), Zanetti, Boudianski, Guberti; Bjelanovic

Ref: Paparesta