Roma 1-1 Empoli

Empoli striker Massimo Maccarone was an unused substitute as Middlesbrough won the 2004 League Cup

Roma's Serie A title hopes suffered a blow as they were held by struggling Empoli in a game that saw both teams reduced to 10 men before half-time.

Roma defender Kostas Manolas was sent off for a foul and Massimo Maccarone put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot after 39 minutes.

Empoli's Riccardo Saponara was then dismissed for two bookings in the space of three minutes.

Empoli had never won at Roma and were denied by Maicon's 57th-minute strike.

With a six-point gap behind leaders and defending champions Juventus, Roma desperately needed to end a run of three straight draws in the league.

They had knocked Empoli out of the Coppa Italia earlier this month but failed to manage a shot on target in the first half and lost play-maker Francesco Totti to injury before the break.

They trailed after Manolas bundled Saponara to the ground to earn a red card and allow ex-Middlesbrough striker Maccarone to put Empoli in front.

Sapanora then picked up a second caution after handling the ball in first-half stoppage time to balance out the numbers.

Roma continued to struggle to create chances in the second half.

But they avoided defeat when Miralem Pjanic picked out Maicon and the former Manchester City full-back finished superbly with a left-footed shot which curled inside the far post.

Juventus play at mid-table Udinese on Sunday.