SSC Napoli missed the chance to close the gap significantly on Serie A's top five after being held to a 1-1 home draw by struggling Bologna FC.

Walter Mazzarri's side required a victory to move within two points of fifth-placed FC Internazionale Milano but, despite winning their previous three matches, needed a 71st-minute penalty by Edinson Cavani to salvage a point against the Rossoblù.

The game might have taken a different turn had Napoli scored on nine minutes when a set piece was knocked into the path of Marek Hamšík who was thwarted by a brave block from goalkeeper Jean-François Gillet. However, Marco Di Vaio might also have registered for the visitors instead of firing straight at Morgan De Sanctis. On 14 minutes the Felsinei were ahead, Robert Acquafresca exploiting a Ugo Campagnaro slip to score his third league goal of the season.

Goran Pandev twice came close for the hosts either side of the interval yet thereafter the Partenopei's quest for an equaliser appeared fruitless until Bologna's Diego Pérez handled in his area. Cavani netted his 11th league strike from the spot to take Napoli to within ten points of the summit. Bologna, meanwhile, climb a place to 16th.