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Reggina can feel hard done by, as they dominated this match only to scrape a 1-1 draw.
This was all set to be a relegation battle, but going into this game Catania were flying high on three wins and a draw, while the Amaranto had just one point and Coach Nevio Orlandi was hanging by a thread. History was on Reggina's side, as they had won the last three meetings between these clubs. Maurizio Lanzaro sat out a ban, while Cicco Cozza, Antonio Giosa, Emmanuel Casione, Gionatha Spinesi, Ezequiel Carboni and Pablo Alvarez were injured.
Reggina got off to a sparkling start, as in the opening 120 seconds they rattled the crossbar with a Franco Brienza curling free kick.
The tension was high as Bruno Cirillo and Silvestri engaged in an argument for several minutes, even after they had both been booked and members of both sides tried to intervene.
Brienza horribly wasted a wonderful opportunity, as he hooked down a long ball and had the entire goal to aim at, but scuffed it well wide with his weaker right foot.
Reggina were dominating and notched up nine corner kicks in the first 20 minutes. Catania goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri was tested repeatedly by youngster Di Gennaro's efforts and he also fingertipped a rising Brienza strike over the bar.
Brienza nodded a Luca Vigiani assist off target, then Vigiani went on a classy slalom and cut back for a Brienza strike at the goalkeeper.
Campagnolo finally had to make a save too, as he was alert to parry Izco's finish from point-blank range.
Reggina paid the price for not taking their chances, as Catania took the lead after soaking up pressure for most of the game. Michele Paolucci scored a splendid individual left-foot effort from outside the box that ricocheted in off the underside of the bar, giving Campagnolo no chance.
The home side fought back and Bizzarri stuck out a strong hand to parry a Rakic effort. The move continued and goalscorer Paolucci was shown a second yellow card for kicking out at Cirillo.
Silvestre came sliding in to parry a Rakic counter from point-blank range and from the resulting corner Ceravolo's header hit the bar, but Costa's follow-up from a couple of yards was decisive.
Reggina poured forward for the remaining minutes, but Catania clammed up effectively to pick up a point.
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