Nico Pulzetti headed a late winner as Livorno secured a valuable 2-1 win over Genoa in their mission to avoid relegation.

Genoa had taken seven points from the three previous rounds of Serie A matches and were looking to build on that run of form, and a draw looked highly likely as the match neared its conclusion, after Domenico Criscito had cancelled out the home team's opener from Cristiano Lucarelli.

However Pulzetti had the final say in the third minute of stoppage time, arriving to head home a dramatic winner.

Genoa began the match strongly and Rodrigo Palacio picked out Hernan Crespo with a cross, however the veteran Argentinian striker lashed his shot over the bar.

Palacio then threatened by himself after beating Davide Moro for pace, but like Crespo he cleared the bar with his strike at goal.

Livorno recovered from the early assault on their goal to break through after 21 minutes when Antonio Candreva set up Cristiano Lucarelli and the striker turned well before driving his right-footed shot into the net past Marco Amelia.

Genoa went close just before the half-hour mark when Giandomenico Mesto fed the ball to Palacio who was put off by defender Leonardo Miglionico just as he prepared to shoot, and failed to hit the target.

Lucarelli threatened again six minutes before half-time when he got on the end of Candreva's cross but got only a faint touch on the ball.

Amelia made an impressive save early in the second half from Marcus Diniz's volley, before Genoa threatened at the other end when Raffaele Palladino produced a neat trick before striking a left-footed shot which Alfonso De Lucia gathered at the second attempt.

Genoa's equaliser arrived in the 63rd minute when Palladino's cross deflected off Dario Knezevic and found its way to Criscito who tapped in with his left foot.

Genoa have high hopes of a lofty finish this season and after drawing level they became favourites to win the match, but Livorno were not finished.

After his earlier strike, Lucarelli went for a second goal in the 83rd minute when he produced a menacing volley from 25 yards, however the ball arrowed the wrong side of goal.

The teams were still deadlocked at the 90-minute point, however with the home crowd willing them on Livorno produced a grandstand finish.

Moro used his speed on the right to buy himself some space before crossing expertly to the far post.

With Genoa's defence floundering, Pulzetti seized his chance, powering forward to head the ball past Amelia.