Chievo ruins Beretta's debut at Cesena

Davide Moscardelli made it a miserable start to life as Cesena coach for Mario Beretta as his goal earned Chievo a 1-0 win at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi.

In a tense game characterised more for the number of yellow cards - seven - and a red card for Cesena's Maurizio Lauro, Moscardelli struck late on to earn the Flying Donkeys all three points.

As a result, Cesena are now staring up at the rest of Serie A with an eight-point gap between them and safety.

There were very few chances in a tense first half during which neither side showed muc attacking intent.

Sergio Pellissier was Chievo's biggest threat, as usual, but he was closely guarded by the Cesena defence.

Adrian Mutu was given a similarly strict surveillance by the Chievo defence and his only real achievement was to get Luca Rigoni booked in the ninth minute.

Pellissier's name was also taken down by the referee in the 52nd minute as he showed the first signs of frustration with an unnecessary foul.

The frustration levels were rising on both sides and Lauro was sent off in the 56th minute for his second yellow card of the match, the first for a foul on Pellissier in the first half and the second for a foul on Alberto Paloschi.

There were more cards than shots on goal, although Gianluca Comotto tried to alter that in the 72nd minute when he shot over the crossbar.

Just over five minutes later and Chievo took the lead through Moscardelli.

He raced in at the far post to meet Perparim Hetemaj's cross and score the goal which was worth all three points for the Flying Donkeys and sends Cesena closer to Serie B football next season.