Lazio missed out on the chance to move clear of capital rivals Roma in the Serie A table after being held to a goalless draw by Bologna tonight.

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The Europa League last 32 qualifiers enjoyed the better of the first half at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara but were hanging on during the second as the hosts came into the ascendancy.

Antonio Candreva's early run and shot forced a smart near-post save from Bologna keeper Federico Agliardi, who also brilliantly denied Giuseppe Biava in the period's latter stages.

Former West Ham United attakcker Alessandro Diamanti had Bologna's best effort of the opening 45 minutes but his long-range strike was held by Federico Marchetti.

The hosts were more penetrative in the second period and had several chances to cause an upset against the Champions League chasers.

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Sevilla loanee Tiberio Guarente shot just wide of the target on the hour mark before Alberto Gilardino's stretching boot was inches away from converting Diamanti's cross into the net.

Gilardino did make good contact with an 82nd-minute strike, which flew narrowly over the crossbar, and teammate Panagiotis Kone had come even closer minutes prior when his header landed on the roof of the net.

Lazio's frustration at dropping points to a bottom-half side were compounded when Libor Kozak saw red late on for a horrific challenge on Archimede Morleo.

The result means that Lazio's fourth-place lead over rivals Roma in fifth is just one point, while Bologna climb a position to 15th.