Serie A match report: Empoli 0 Hellas Verona 0

Empoli held Hellas Verona to a goalless draw at the Carlo Castellani stadium on Tuesday afternoon to extend their unbeaten run to six games.

The Tuscan outfit dominated possession but lost defender Lorenzo Tonelli to a second yellow card in the 65th minute and could not find a way through.

Verona also struggled in front of goal and finished the game down to 10 men after Emil Hallfredsson was handed his marching orders with 13 minutes remaining for a second booking.

Empoli's fifth straight draw has lifted them to 13th position, six points clear of the drop zone.

Verona, who had won just one of their last 11 league games, are now 15th, level on 18 points with Empoli.

The home side had the first chance in the 13th minute but Tonelli's close-range header from Mirko Valdifiori's cross went wide.

The visitors should have gone in front a minute later but Luca Toni's shot from 12 yards was saved by Empoli goalkeeper Luigi Sepe.

Empoli twice had the opportunity to break the deadlock before the interval but Simone Verdi and Daniele Rugani's right-footed attempts from the edge of the area were kept out by Hellas goalkeeper Francesco Benussi.

Visiting coach Andrea Mandorlini was forced to make his first substitution early in the second half with Gustavo Campanharo replacing an injured Jacopo Sala.

His side wasted a good opportunity to take the lead before the hour when Toni headed Hallfredsson's cross over the bar.

Shortly after, Tonelli earned his second yellow card when he fouled Toni.

Toni then missed another good chance when he nodded Leandro Greco's cross off target.

The sending-off of Hallfredsson evened up the numbers, referee Piero Giacomelli showing him his second yellow card for a late challenge on Elseid Hysaj, and neither side could break the deadlock the rest of the way.