Genoa have missed the chance to climb out of the bottom three in Serie A but will be happy with a point against Atalanta BC.

The hosts took the lead early on through Antonio Floro Flores, who headed past Andrea Consigli from Francesco Matuzalem's sixth-minute corner kick.

However, that lead did not last long, as Cristiano Del Grosso fired into the bottom corner after Atalanta's defence only half-cleared Luca Cigarini's corner.

Sebastien Frey had to be alert to stop Stefano Lucchini from giving the Grifone the lead immediately after finding the equaliser, characterising a frantic opening to the game.

Genoa had the better chances of the first half, but La Dea began to assert their dominance early in the second.

They peppered their opponents' goal with a flurry of shots, but could not find a way past Consigli.

In the end, Luigi Delneri's side did enough to hang on for what could be a valuable point in their battle for survival.