Serie A: Empoli beat Bologna to claim fourth win on trot

Massimo Maccarone scored twice as in-form Empoli beat Bologna 3-2 to make it four Serie A wins in a row and move up to ninth in the table.

Manuel Pucciarelli also scored for the visitors as 13th-placed Bologna were left empty-handed despite twice coming from behind through goals from Franco Brienza and Mattia Destro.

Empoli midfielder Riccardo Saponara's shot after 19 minutes forced Bologna keeper Antonio Mirante into a save at the expense of a corner, but the visitors were ahead five minutes later when Pucciarelli opened the scoring.

Empoli could have been further ahead four minutes later but when Saponara set up Pucciarelli his shot hit the post.

Bologna were on level terms after 36 minutes through Brienza but three minutes before the break Maccarone netted to put Empoli ahead once more.

However, on the stroke of half-time Destro brought Bologna level for the second time.

Maccarone scored his second three minutes into the second half, heading in a cross from Pucciarelli, to put the visitors back in front for a third time.

With 10 minutes to go Bologna could have been level again but when Brienza's corner was met by Destro his header came back off the crossbar, and after that Empoli were able to hold out for the win.