Serie A: Chievo and Hellas Verona can't be split in 2-2 draw

Chievo and Hellas Verona drew 2-2 in Sunday's derby with all of the goals scored in a thrilling first half.

With both teams in mid-table and assured of Serie A football, only pride was at stake.

Alberto Paloschi put Chievo ahead in the ninth minute but Hellas hit back with goals from Juanito and Luca Toni.

Chievo - nicknamed the Flying Donkeys - equalised from the penalty spot in the 40th minute after Sergio Pellissier earned and converted a penalty.

The outcome has left Chievo in 12th place in the standings, with Hellas just one point adrift with three games remaining.

Chievo took an early lead when Pellissier headed the ball into the path of Paloschi and his close-range header beat Hellas goalkeeper Rafael.

Hellas pulled level in the 20th minute when Juanito got past his marker and headed Emil Hallfredsson's cross past a helpless Chievo goalkeeper Albano Bizarri.

Six minutes later and Hellas took the lead.

Hallfredsson crossed again into the area and Toni capitalised, tapping in from close range for his 19th goal of the season.

Five minutes before the interval, the referee pointed to the spot after Pellissier drew contact from Guillermo Rodriguez.

Pellissier drove the spot-kick past Rafael to level the contest.

Toni almost got Hellas back in front one minute later but his right-footed effort from eight yards took a deflection off Chievo's Dario Dainelli and hit the woodwork.

In the second half, neither side could break the deadlock.

One minute after the re-start, Mariano Izco fed Pellissier in the box but his right-footed attempt went wide.

Chievo substitute Ruben Botta threatened late in the contest but Hellas deflected his goal-bound effort wide.