Napoli held leaders Inter to a 0-0 draw in a pulsating encounter in Naples to give the champions' title rivals a boost yesterday.
Earlier in the day Italian veteran Alessandro Del Piero scored a controversial late spot-kick to give out-of-form Serie A giants Juventus a much-needed 3-2 victory over Genoa.
Napoli had the best of last night's game at the San Paolo stadium, hitting the woodwork twice to Inter's once but the champions held on to extend their lead over Roma to seven points, although Milan could cut that to six if they win their game in hand.
The draw pushed Napoli back up to fourth and the last Champions League qualification spot although three more teams are within just two of them.
Napoli had felt hard done by a week ago when they were beaten 3-1 at Udinese by two injury time goals having been reduced to 10-men before half-time.
And they began this game like a team eager to make amends with Slovakia midfielder Marek Hamsik smacking a long-range shot against the bar on 10 minutes before German Denis took too long to control the rebound and was crowded out.
Three minutes later Fabio Quagliarella fired into side netting when left free at the back post.
Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar was then the hero on 19 minutes with a stunning reaction save to deny Denis's flying header from Hamsik's right wing cross.
The visitors did have their moments and on the half hour Muntari Sulley caught the ball sweetly on the half volley just outside the area and he too thudded the woodwork.
Inter coach Jose Mourinho must have said something at half-time because they were immediately more threatening after the break.
Goran Pandev should have done better when set free in the area by McDonald Mariga but he shot too close to Morgan De Sanctis.
Diego Milito than forced the Napoli stopper into a save at his near post and Walter Samuel headed over the bar.
But back came Napoli and Quagliarella hit a daisy cutter against the post on 65 minutes only for Denis to skew the rebound high and wide with the goal at his mercy.
In Turin 35-year-old Del Piero scored a brace while Brazilian striker Amauri added the other as the Old Lady came from behind to record only their fourth win in 15 matches in all competitions and give coach Alberto Zaccheroni his first win in the three matches he has been in charge.
But Genoa were furious that Juve were awarded the 78th-minute penalty that proved decisive.
"From where I was I didn't see it, but I've been told that it was offside, it was outside the area and it wasn't a foul," complained Genoa coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
"There's at least one mistake and maybe three, all in the same action."
Juventus coach Zaccheroni admitted the incident had occurred outside the area.
"I agree that it (the incident that led to the penalty) was outside the area but it's always difficult for the referee to see in these cases," he said.
New boss Edy Reja had an immediate impact at Lazio as they climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win at Parma.