|
Nicola Amoruso's winner put Reggina within a point of Ascoli and closer to leaving the foot of the table, even with their 15-point Calciopoli penalty.
The Amaranto had a strong start and went close when Rolando Bianchi's glancing header from a Leon cross skimmed the far post, while Gaetano Fontana's set-piece was blasted over by Zanetti in a promising position for the visitors.
Honduras international Leon was crucial again when Reggina finally broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark. His free kick found Alessandro Lucarelli totally unmarked for a header at the back post.
Mirco Cudini's error allowed Tedesco to rifle a shot at Gianluca Pagliuca, who'll turn 40 later this month, but Leon was fortunate to avoid a booking for a dive in the area. Bianchi's nudge on his marker cut short a fantastic team move sparked by Leon's inspired pass to slice open the defence.
After the break Ivan Pelizzoli rushed out to close down Sasa Bjelanovic, then the Ascoli striker flicked the ball over his defender, but made a mistake on the finish.
Pagliuca parried a Nicola Amoruso effort, but Leon was selfish when he charged all the way up the field and opted to shoot instead of passing to an unmarked teammate.
Ascoli were also wasteful, with Guberti's cross flashing across the face of goal, as neither Bjelanovic nor Zanetti were ready to tap in with Pelizzoli stranded.
When Leon again went for personal glory when Modesto was totally clear in a better position, Coach Walter Mazzarri took the midfielder off as punishment, preferring youngster Missiroli.
Reggina doubled their lead and made the points safe 12 minutes from time with Amoruso. Once again it was a counter-attack, as he ran on to Bianchi's assist before dribbling past both Cudini and Pagliuca to deposit the ball into an empty net.
However, Ascoli gave themselves a shot at the points moments later. Despite bleeding from an earlier cut to his eyebrow, Pecorari performed a splendid left-foot volley on Vastola's cross to beat Pelizzoli. It was too little, too late and Reggina hung on for the victory.
| 
