Chievo came from a goal behind at half-time to salvage a deserved 1-1 draw at home to Udinese.

Striker Antonio Floro Flores put the visitors ahead before being forced off by injury in the first half, but Chievo were the better side throughout and defender Mario Yepes equalised with 20 minutes remaining.

Udinese lost both Floro Flores and strike partner Alexis Alejandro Sanchez before the interval but held on to earn a share of the spoils, with goalkeeper Samir Handanovic playing a starring role to thwart the hosts.

Pablo Granoche was the central figure as Chievo started brightly, and the striker's diving header from full-back Nicolas Frey's right-wing cross was deflected wide in the third minute.

An attack down the other flank shortly afterwards gave Granoche another chance as he met Andrea Mantovani's delivery with a well-timed header which forced a good save from Handanovic.

But Udinese took the lead against the run of play in the 27th minute when Francesco Lodi - just on as an early substitute for the injured Sanchez - crossed for Floro Flores to control and finish low across keeper Stefano Sorrentino.

Chievo threatened again three minutes before the break, immediately after the departure of Floro Flores, as Granoche seized on Juan Cuadrado's slip and fired goalwards with his right foot, but Handanovic saved.

And Sergio Pellissier then rode a strong challenge from Christian Zapata and crossed for Granoche, who narrowly failed to divert it past Handanovic.

Chievo's dominance continued after the break and Giampiero Pinzi's cross was just too high for Granoche to make contact when well placed in front of goal.

Handanovic made a remarkable save midway through the second period as Simone Bentivoglio unleashed a volley from point-blank range, the keeper pulling off a reflex block and scrambling to recover the loose ball after several attempts.

But he could do nothing when Yepes met Michele Marcolini's free-kick with a header which hit the inside of the far post and found the net with the keeper motionless.

Bentivoglio came close to a winning goal with seven minutes left on the clock as he received Pellissier's pass on the edge of the penalty area and shot narrowly wide of the near post.

But it remained 1-1, a result which leaves both teams together on 15 points in mid-table positions in Serie A and sees them build on their respective wins over Catania and Roma last time out.

The Flying Donkeys travel to Parma next week looking to extend a four-match unbeaten run away from home, which has seen them also beat Cagliari and Bologna and draw at Siena.

Udinese host Fiorentina and will no doubt be hoping Sanchez and Floro Flores' injuries do not prevent them leading the line.