Serie A: Atalanta grab last-gasp draw against Empoli

German Denis' last-gasp goal earned Atalanta a valuable point against Empoli on Sunday in Bergamo.

With both teams looking to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone, the visitors looked to be heading for an important win after Massimo Maccarone struck on the hour for a 2-1 lead.

However, Denis headed in substitute Urby Emanuelson's cross to earn the hosts a 2-2 draw.

Riccardo Saponara had put Empoli ahead in the 41st minute before Alejandro Gomez pulled Atalanta level two minutes later.

Empoli headed into the encounter with just one victory in their previous six games.

The visitors went close to taking the lead in the seventh minute but Saponara's strike from the heart of the area was saved by Marco Sportiello.

The home goalkeeper was called on to make another save in the 36th minute to clear Saponara's stinging drive from 30 yards.

Empoli broke the deadlock after Saponara played a one-two with Manuel Pucciarelli and struck a right-footed shot from a central position past a helpless Sportiello.

Atalanta got back on level terms almost immediately.

Maximiliano Moralez's cross took a deflection off Empoli defender Daniele Rugani, leaving Gomez to smash the ball from close range into the back of the net.

Empoli could have gone into the break with a 2-1 lead but Sportiello saved Maccarone's effort.

The visitors continued to apply pressure in attack after the break and Sportiello remained heavily involved.

Sportiello kept out long-range attempts by Daniele Croce and Mirko Valdifiori but could do little to deny Empoli the lead when Croce fed Maccarone in the area and his right-footed shot towards the near post beat the goalkeeper.

Six minutes later, Sportiello did well to get a touch on Maccarone's powerful shot from 12 yards which the keeper deflected towards the near post.

Atalanta wasted a great chance to equalise 12 minutes from time.

Substitute Marco D'Alessandro spotted an unmarked Denis in the six-yard box and the Argentinian forward struck the ball over the bar with only Empoli goalkeeper Luigi Sepe left to beat.

Denis made amends with seconds to go, though, when he nodded Emanuelson's cross past Sepe.