Livorno 1 - 0 Empoli

Livorno 1-0 Empoli

Updated: January 20, 2008, 2:01 PM ET

LIVORNO, January 20 (Serie A) - Livorno striker Francesco Tavano came back to haunt his old club once again as he scored the only goal of the game to send Empoli back into the relegation zone.

The former Empoli star, who spent five years at the club, slotted home a penalty in the 51st minute to send Livorno to only their second home win of the season.

With both sides fighting to distance themselves from the relegation zone, the Tuscan derby was always going to be a tight affair.

Empoli had the first real chance of the game on seven minutes as Sebastian Giovinco got on the end of Vittorio Tosto's free-kick but saw his 15-yard shot flash wide of the post.

Seconds later Luca Saudati should have put the visitors ahead but he headed wide from close range.

It was all Empoli as in the 19th minute Giovinco put a great cross in towards Saudati who just failed to make contact with the ball eight yards out.

Then confusion in the Livorno area saw the ball fall to Antonio Busce whose weak shot from six yards was easily caught by Marco Amelia.

Livorno's first real chance came on the half-hour mark as Tavano's 25-yard effort was blocked by Lino Marzorati but only as far as Diego Tristan who tried his luck from 15 yards but sent his effort wide of the left post.

Two minutes later the visitors had another great chance to take the lead as Busce picked out Saudati whose 20-yard shot was well saved by Amelia.

The hosts should have gone in at half-time in front but Empoli keeper Daniele Balli pulled off a great save to keep out Tristan's header.

Balli denied Tristan yet again less than three minutes after the interval as he tipped the Spain striker's header over the bar.

Balli was powerless three minutes later though as he could only watch as Francesco Pratali fouled Luis Vidigal inside the area and the referee pointed instantly to the penalty spot.

Tavano stepped up and fired low into the back of net for his ninth goal against his former club.

Empoli were almost immediately back on level terms but Ighli Vanucchi headed Tosto's cross just past the left post from eight yards.

And the visitors could count themselves unlucky not to net the equaliser on 57 minutes as a mix-up between Busce and Francesco Mariani saw neither player take up a decent opportunity, allowing Amelia to clear the danger.

Livorno captain David Balleri came agonisingly close to doubling his side's advantage in the 65th minute but saw his effort skim the crossbar.

They were almost left to rue that opportunity as 12 minutes later, Marzorati's close-range header looked certain to level the scores but Amelia pulled off a superb save to deny the on-loan AC Milan player.

Tavano came close to sealing the victory eight minutes from time but his 30-yard effort flashed past the left hand post.

Balleri should have finished the game off in the 89th minute but his shot was too weak and Balli was able to make a comfortable save.

And Balli was on hand again deep into injury time to keep out substitute Alessandro Diamanti's close-range effort.