Fiorentina remain just three points above the Serie A relegation zone after being held to a goalless draw at home to Palermo.

The home side thought they had claimed a vital win nine minutes from time when Carvalho Amauri had the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for handball following the intervention of the linesman.

Amauri was an influential figure throughout and had the first chance after three minutes when his shot was saved by Emiliano Viviano. At the other end Abel Hernandez flashed a header well wide before Fiorentina came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when Matija Nastasic's header hit the post following Houssine Kharja's corner. In a frantic opening,

Amauri fired high over the bar from close range before the game eventually settled down. Viviano produced a good save to deny Manuel Pascal on 22 minutes, while opposite number Artur Boruc blocked a shot from Hernandez at close range.

Boruc was quickly called into action in the second half to save a curling shot from Josip Ilicic, but could then stand and watch substitute Armin Bacimovic blast a shot high over the bar. Viviano then saved superbly from Stevan Jovetic in the 80th minute before Amauri celebrated what he thought was the opening goal moments later.

The referee initially awarded the goal before consulting one of his assistants, with the goal then disallowed and Amauri shown a yellow card for his troubles. And the striker's disappointing evening was complete when he failed to beat Viviano with the game's last chance in the final minute.