Mauro Icardi denied Napoli the victory that would have seen them close to within two points of second-placed Roma in Serie A as his cheeky penalty earned Inter Milan a 2-2 draw.
There were no goals in a frantic first half at the Stadio San Paolo but they began to flow after half-time as Marek Hamsik and Gonzalo Higuain boosted Napoli into a two-goal lead.
Rodrigo Palacio halved the deficit with 20 minutes remaining and a rash late challenge from Henrique saw the Napoli defender dismissed, allowing Icardi to force the draw with a 'Panenka' spot-kick.
Rafael Benitez's men are four points shy of Roma - held to a goalless draw by Chievo earlier on Sunday - while Inter join Torino in a share of eighth place.
An eighth draw in nine Serie A matches saw Roma lose further ground in the title race but this stalemate at Chievo will be remembered for the horrific injury suffered by Federico Mattiello.
The Giallorossi were unable to break the Flying Donkeys down at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi and therefore sit eight points behind leaders Juventus, who play at home on Monday evening.
It was difficult for both sides to focus from 20 minutes onwards, however, after players witnessed young Chievo midfielder Mattiello suffer what appeared to be a gruesome lower leg break.
The point boosted the hosts six clear of the drop zone but they have failed to score in three games.
Debt-ridden Parma secured a point from a goalless draw with Atalanta on their overdue return to Serie A action.
The Ducale club are facing bankruptcy and were unable to fulfil recent fixtures against Udinese and Genoa, meaning the first team had not kicked a ball in anger since February 15.
There were few signs of ring rust at the Stadio Ennio Tardini on Sunday afternoon, however, and Roberto Donadoni's men were unlucky not to turn their dominance into a win despite losing winger Cristian Rodriguez to a red card in the final minutes.
Udinese hit back from an early deficit to beat Torino 3-2 on Sunday and clinch their first home victory since October 26.
Fabio Quagliarella put Toro in front in the 15th minute but Udinese hit back with a goal from Antonio Di Natale and a Cristian Molinaro own-goal to take a 2-1 lead after 25 minutes.
The visitors were unlucky not to equalise in the 41st minute when Quagliarella saw his right-footed volley cannon off the post.
Molla Wague extended Udinese's lead early in the second half before Toro substitute Marco Benassi reduced the arrears in the 69th minute.
But Udinese held on to clinch their first victory since January 26 and in the process end the visitors' 15-match unbeaten run.
Palermo were held to a goalless draw at relegation-threatened Cesena on Sunday afternoon to extend their winless away run to eight games.
The Sicilians were the better side at the Dino Manuzzi Stadium but lacked the finishing touch.
Cesena almost clinched all three points in the 87th minute but Hordur Magnusson's powerful header from Franco Brienza's cross was saved by Palermo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino.
Palermo, who have not won on the road since November 2, remained in 11th place while Cesena are 19th and level on 20 points with Cagliari, who are 18th. The two sides are just three points adrift of safety.
Empoli held Serie A high-fliers Genoa to a 1-1 draw that extended their unbeaten run to six games.
M'Baye Niang gave Genoa a 27th-minute lead but substitute Federico Barba levelled in the 66th minute for an Azzurri side who showed great fight in front of their home fans at the Carlo Castellani.
The hosts even came close to scoring a winner four minutes from time, but Massimo Maccarone's close-range attempt was saved by Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin.