Napoli 0 - 0 Brescia - Arcari stars as Brescia repel Napoli

Relegation-threatened Brescia withstood a barrage from third-placed Napoli but a fine display from goalkeeper Michele Arcari ensured the points were split after a goalless draw at the Stadio San Paolo.

Arcari made his first notable save in the opening minute of the match and was involved throughout to help his team gamely hang on to remain within three points of safety.

The visitors might even have won it in injury-time when Andrea Caracciolo saw his shot brilliantly stopped by Arcari's opposite number Morgan De Sanctis.

Edison Cavani was the man who might have opened the scoring early on, a clever back-heeled effort needing the attention of Arcari to prevent an early setback for Brescia.

The same players were involved seven minutes later when Cavani found room to shoot across goal from the left-hand side, only for Arcari to pluck his shot out of the air with a fine save.

Napoli continued to dominate the attacking play, Camilo Zuniga the next to try his luck after 18 minutes.

He attempted a subtle lob to defeat Arcari but his attempt lacked pace and the goalkeeper was able to get back into position.

By now it was already clear who the key figure in the game would be and Zuniga was out of luck again five minutes later when his left-footed drive nestled comfortably in the goalkeeper's arms.

Marek Hamsik was similarly thwarted from 30 yards but Cavani might have broken the stalemate had he not mis-kicked the loose ball moments later.

Arcari's best save yet came with 28 minutes gone when he reacted swiftly to tip Zuniga's close-range header over the crossbar.

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri's frustrations saw him banished from the touchline before half-time when he was dismissed for dissent after Christian Maggio's penalty appeal was turned down.

De Sanctis' first save came from Caracciolo soon after half-time and Alessandro Diamanti should have done better from 15 yards as Brescia started to find their feet going forward.

Arcari denied Cavani again with 67 minutes gone before Hugo Campagnaro blazed over the crossbar to keep the scores tied.

The Brescia keeper was finally beaten six minutes from time when Cristiano Lucarelli headed goalwards but Caracciolo was on hand with the block on the line to keep a richly-deserved clean sheet.

Caracciolo should have been the hero at the other end too when he broke deep in stoppage-time and drew a fine save from De Sanctis.