Both teams tried their best to get all three points, but had to share the spoils with Daniel Ciofani and Gabriel Strefezza from the spot.
It is an early relegation dogfight between two sides promoted from Serie B last season. The hosts had a full squad to choose from, whereas Vlad Chiriches and Marco Carnesecchi didn’t make the trip.
Cremonese were very aggressive and robbed the ball in midfield to spark a counter-attack, with Wladimiro Falcone bringing down David Okereke for a penalty, converted by Daniel Ciofani into the near bottom corner.
Lameck Banda had penalty appeals, but the referee was in a perfect position to judge the very light Leonardo Sernicola tug, then Falcone beat away a Luca Zanimacchia angled drive.
Lecce did get a penalty eventually when Okereke clumsily bundled into the back of Valentin Gendrey, allowing Gabriel Strefezza to calmly stroke the spot-kick in for the equaliser.
A well-taken Pablo Ascacibar control and volley was deflected over, while Gallo made a decisive interception with Ciofani ready to turn in at the back post.
Cremonese thought they had made it 2-1 on the counter-attack with Cyriel Dessers creating the space for Okereke to go clear, but Falcone made himself big with a fantastic one-handed save.
Michele Castagnetti then drilled inches wide from the edge of the area and Cristian Buonaiuto hit the side-netting.
Lecce 1-1 Cremonese
Ciofani pen 19 (C), Strefezza pen 42 (L)