Giampaolo Pazzini's first goal in the league this season in the third minute of stoppage time earned Sampdoria a last-gasp 1-0 win over Cesena at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi today. The result moves them onto the fringes of the top four in Serie A while Cesena drop into the bottom three as a result of the late defeat.

Yuto Nagatomo led the home side's search for their first home win since beating AC Milan at the Manuzzi back in August. He was a constant threat down the left wing, creating the first big chance of the game for Stephen Appiah in the 17th minute. The Japanese full-back pulled the ball back for the Ghanaian, whose volley was saved well by Giancarlo Curci, who got up to deny Emanuele Giaccherini on the rebound.

Pazzini missed Sampdoria's first chance of the game in the 26th minute, but it was only a rare attack for the visitors. The lively Nagatomo had a dangerous shot saved by Curci after half an hour before i Blucerchiati almost went ahead in the 41st minute. It was Pazzini again who failed to make contact with Angelo Palombo's cross from close range after being put off by Maximiliano Pellegrino.

Nicola Pozzi, who had taken Antonio Cassano's place in the Sampdoria attack, then had an effort saved magnificently by Cesena's veteran goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli. And as Cesena looked for a winner, a mistake in the centre of the field allowed the visitors to break quickly and grab the winner deep in stoppage time. with Guido Marilungo's cross provided a simple tap-in for Pazzini to end his own drought this season.