Cesena 0 : 1 Juventus - Cesena relegated after Juventus defeat

Substitute Marco Borriello struck nine minutes from time to hand Serie A leaders Juventus 1-0 victory at Cesena, a result that condemns the home side to Serie B football next season.

The win at the Dino Manuzzi stadium sees Juve remain three points clear of AC Milan at the top of the standings with four games remaining.

Milan won 1-0 over Genoa to remain in the scudetto race.

Juventus looked to be heading for a frustrating afternoon after Andrea Pirlo had struck the post from the penalty spot early on and team-mate Paolo De Ceglie had also been denied by the woodwork in the opening half.

However, Borriello came to the rescue just six minutes after replacing Alessandro Matri.

Cesena, who failed to test Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon throughout the game, lie at the foot of the standings and are unable to catch Genoa, who hold the last position of safety.

They are 14 points behind Genoa with 12 points still up for grabs and return to the second division after two campaigns in Italy's top flight.

The visitors enjoyed a strong start and should have taken a ninth-minute lead.

The referee pointed to the penalty spot after Cesena defender Vangelis Moras was harshly adjudged to have controlled the ball with his hand in the area.

Pirlo stepped up to take the resulting penalty and his effort struck the far post, much to the relief of Cesena goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli.

Juve continued to press forward and De Ceglie's header from Pirlo's cross beat Antonioli but hit the far post.

Before the interval, Pirlo found Mirko Vucinic in the area and his left-footed strike went off target.

Early in the second half, Antonioli kept out Matri's powerful volley.

Matri then nodded Pirlo's cross wide as a good opportunity went begging for the visitors after the hour mark.

With 10 minutes remaining, Antonioli was forced to fully stretch to clear substitute Alessandro Del Piero's curled free-kick.

Juve finally broke through seconds later when Vucinic's header found Borriello in the heart of the area and his left-footed strike towards the far post beat Antonioli.