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Substitute Sergio Pellissier scored eight minutes from time to hand Chievo a 1-0 win at relegation-threatened Cesena on Sunday.
Pellissier, who came on in the 58th minute, headed in a Nicolas Frey cross to earn Chievo three vital points in their battle to secure their Serie A status for next season.
The win at the Dino Manuzzi stadium lifted Chievo to 13th place, 13 points clear of Cesena and the relegation zone.
Cesena, meanwhile, remained four points adrift of safety but could see that gap increase to seven points if Atalanta beat Sassuolo later on Sunday.
Chievo went into the contest following a 1-0 defeat at Sassuolo in the previous round, a setback that brought an end to their four-match unbeaten run.
The visitors enjoyed a strong start and threatened in the fifth minute when Alberto Paloschi's right-footed shot from 12 yards forced Cesena goalkeeper Nicola Leali to make a save.
Paloschi missed a good chance to put Chievo ahead soon after when the striker got behind Ervin Zukanovic's cross but struck the ball over the bar from close range.
Cesena had their first scoring opportunity in the 14th minute but Luka Krajnc headed Carlos Carbonero's powerful cross just wide.
The home side continued to push forward and in the 38th minute, they almost broke the deadlock. Luigi Giorgi's cross found Franco Brienza in the box but his diagonal effort was kept out by Chievo goalkeeper Albano Bizarri.
Chievo had the last chance of the opening half when Riccardo Meggiorini surged into the area but struck the ball just wide of the far post.
The visitors picked up where they left off after the re-start and one minute into the second half, Ezequiel Schelotto's bullet strike from 30 yards was saved by Leali.
Shortly after the hour mark, Ervin Zukanovic's powerful header from Valter Birsa's cross went over the crossbar as Chievo got closer.
Leali was called on to make a save in the 71st minute following a good play by Chievo.
Zukanovic fed Ivan Radovanovic just outside the area and his hard drive was kept out by Leali.
The visitors' efforts finally paid off eight minutes from time. A fast break from Chievo saw Nicolas Frey's cross from the right headed by Pellissier past a helpless Leali.
Chievo held on for victory.
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CVO
