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Reggina completed an extraordinary comeback from 2-0 down in the space of six minutes, as Atalanta paid for their arrogance.
Both teams were looking forward to this clash after morale-boosting results. The Amaranto are on a run of two wins and a draw, including last week's relegation six-pointer against Cagliari. Atalanta upset the odds to defeat Milan 2-1 in the rescheduled Week 12 match on Wednesday evening. Francesco Cozza sat out a ban with Nicola Amoruso also injured, so Renzo Ulivieri had few attacking options. Three of the total four editions of this fixture had ended 1-1 and Atalanta had never won in the top flight.
The home side got off to a strong start, Ferreira Pinto drilling wide of the near post from the edge of the box. Cristiano Doni was an injury doubt, but recovered and had a good opportunity with the inside of his right foot set up by Sergio Floccari.
Atalanta broke the deadlock after 18 minutes with Claudio Rivalta's unexpected strike. He cut in from the right channel and unleashed a snapshot from the edge of the box that surprised Campagnolo at the near post.
Moris Carrozzieri fired straight at the goalkeeper from a set play and although Doni hit the back of the net, he only got a yellow card to show for it, as he had handled the ball.
Antonio Langella doubled their lead 30 seconds after the restart. Guarente pounced on a defensive error in midfield and rolled across for the former Cagliari star's low finish.
Reggina got into the game on the hour mark with Luca Vigiani's smart finish at the back post redirecting Modesto's cross.
Atalanta seemed to take their foot off the gas and were punished for their arrogance, as the Amaranto completed their comeback. Fabio Ceravolo deserves much of the credit for his mazy run down the right, rolled across for Edgar Barreto to beat a less than impressive Ferdinando Coppola.
In fact, Reggina nearly took the lead with Vigiani pouncing on a poor Diego De Ascentis clearance to drill wide.
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