Avellino stunned Spezia to reach the Serie B promotion play-off against Bologna, despite playing with 10 men for an hour.

The winners of this tie go on to face Bologna in the semi-final on Friday. The other semi is between Vicenza and Pescara.

It was an extremely fiery match with arguments breaking out and cards flashed from the get-go.

Avellino stunned Spezia to reach the Serie B promotion play-off against Bologna, despite playing with 10 men for an hour.

The winners of this tie go on to face Bologna in the semi-final on Friday. The other semi is between Vicenza and Pescara.

It was an extremely fiery match with arguments breaking out and cards flashed from the get-go.

There was a dramatic turnaround in the space of 60 seconds, as first Avellino took a surprise lead through Antonio Zito’s header, then his team went down to 10 men for Mariano Arini’s second bookable offence.

The visitors were furious and had penalty appeals for a coming together between Alessandro Sbaffo and Francesco Migliore.

Avellino goalkeeper Pierluigi Frattali performed heroics on a Mario Situm free header and Migliore strike, while Zoran Krvzic’s splendid volley was scored after a foul.

Spezia did eventually equalise when Niccolo Giannetti’s shot ricocheted into the path of Josip Brezovec.

Moments later it was almost 2-1 to Spezia, but Giannetti just failed to make contact in front of an open goal and Frattali again denied Man of the Match Brezovec.

There were also chances for Avellino, as Gianmario Comi’s overhead kick was charged down from point-blank range.

With the last kick of regular time, Giannetti’s header shaved a coat of paint off the upright with Frattali rooted to the spot.

It went to extra time, but as Spezia finished higher up the Serie B table (fifth compared to eighth), they would go through if the score remained level after 120 minutes.

With this in mind, 10-man Avellino pushed hard and restored their advantage. A free kick was knocked down for Comi to fire in from 10 yards.

The drama continued when Avellino player Angelo D’Angelo got a knock to the stomach and collapsed after his substitution, stretchered off towards an ambulance by paramedics with a suspected fractured rib.

The Irpini held on for the surprise away victory.

Spezia 1-2 Avellino aet

Scorers: Zito 40 (A), Brezovec 71 (S), Comi 97 (A)

Sent off: Arini 41 (A)

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