Cyril Thereau scored a late equaliser as Udinese came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Serie A rivals Hellas Verona.

Luca Siligardi was the first to threaten for Verona when his header deflected inches wide of the post.

Five minutes before the break the hosts were awarded a penalty when Molla Wague brought down Siligardi inside the box with a clumsy challenge.

Giampaolo Pazzini took the resulting spot kick and made no mistake with a confident effort into the corner of the net.

Udinese almost came up with an immediate response, but Antonio Di Natale's free kick was pushed behind by Rafael.

After the break, Jacopo Sala threatened to score a second goal for the hosts, but his effort from the edge of the box was turned away by Rafael.

However, with just six minutes left to play Thereau capitalised on a mistake from the keeper to slot the ball into an empty net and secure a share of the spoils for the visitors.