Serie A: 1-1 draw with Genoa extends Empoli's unbeaten run to six games

Empoli held Serie A high-fliers Genoa to a 1-1 draw that extended their unbeaten run to six games.

M'Baye Niang gave Genoa a 27th-minute lead but substitute Federico Barba levelled in the 66th minute for an Azzurri side who showed great fight in front of their home fans at the Carlo Castellani.

The hosts even came close to scoring a winner four minutes from time, but Massimo Maccarone's close-range attempt was saved by Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin.

The result has lifted Empoli to 14th in the table, where they are nine points clear of the drop zone while Genoa, who have not lost in their last five games, are seventh but have a game in hand.

Genoa went into the encounter champing at the bit to play after their home game against Parma was postponed last weekend due to the Ducale club's financial crisis.

The hosts suffered an early setback with Barba replacing an injured Lorenzo Tonelli in the eighth minute.

Genoa had the first chance in the 21st minute when Iago Falque fed Diego Perotti in the area but he fired the ball over the bar.

The visitors took the lead six minutes later when Andrea Bertolacci spotted Niang in the box and his left-footed shot towards the far post beat Empoli goalkeeper Luigi Sepe.

Empoli pressed forward and should have pulled level before half-time but Riccardo Saponara headed Mirko Valdifiori's cross badly off target.

The home side picked up where they left off after the restart and had three opportunities to score before the hour mark.

Saponara, Tomas Rincon and Simone Verdi all sent their close-range attempts wide.

Empoli's efforts finally paid off in the 66th minute. Perin failed to hold onto Valdifiori's corner kick and Barba was first to the rebound, tapping the ball home from three yards out.

The Genoa keeper then made amends late in the game with a superb save from Maccarone to deny Empoli victory.