Parma have stretched their unbeaten league run to 14 matches by beating 10-man Sassuolo 1-0 at the Stadio Alberto Braglia.

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The visitors started strongly and took the lead in the first minute when Marco Parolo connected with Jonathan Biabiany's cross at the front post to fire past the keeper.

They almost scored a second a minute later as Amauri met Biabiany's delivery at the back post, but he could not steer his header on target.

In the final minute of the first half, Parma should have doubled their advantage. Amauri was slipped into the box, but with just the keeper to beat, he directed the ball wide of the post.

After the break Walter Gargano wasted a good opportunity for the visitors as he could only fire over the bar from the edge of the box when the ball fell invitingly for him.

Marco Marchionni came even closer moments later, as he found space in the box to shoot before drilling an effort narrowly wide of the post.

Midway through the second half Antonio Cassano had a gilt-edged opportunity to score a second for Parma. He was picked out in acres of space, but with time to choose hit spot, he fired straight at the keeper.

They almost paid for that missed chance soon after, as Marcello Gazzola drove into the area before forcing Antonio Mirante to push his strike around the post.

From the resulting corner, Paolo Cannavaro saw his powerful header beaten away by Mirante, with Antonio Floro Flores nodding the rebound wide at the back post.

Sassuolo's chances of salvaging a point then took a blow as Domenico Berardi was shown a straight red card, having been on the pitch for less than a minute.

Parma failed to add to their lead but managed to see out the game, as they moved up to sixth place in the Serie A table.