Antonio Cassano inspired Sampdoria to a rousing comeback from two goals down as the Blucerchiati ended their Serie A campaign with a creditable point.

Palermo appeared well set for a last-day cruise after strikes from Fabrizio Miccoli and Davide Succi put them in control at Stadio Renzo Barbera.

Crucially, Giampaolo Pazzini fired the visitors back into the game within a minute of Succi's effort and, with Cassano pulling the strings impressively for Walter Mazzarri's men, they found en equaliser through Marius Stankevicius in the 59th minute.

Both teams might have scored a decisive fifth goal but the draw means the Sicilian hosts finish the season in eighth position, with Sampdoria 13th.

Palermo's hopes of claiming a place in next term's Europa League - the rebranded UEFA Cup - were shattered when they failed to beat Atalanta a week earlier, but they began the match clearly intent on providing their fans with a win to close the season.

Moments after Daniele Dessena had warmed home goalkeeper Marco Amelia's palms with a a fine shot from the edge of the area, following great work from the talented but temperamental Cassano, Miccoli let fly with a left-footed effort which Vincenzo Fiorillo did well to keep out of the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Then, in the eighth minute, Palermo took the lead.

Former Italy striker Miccoli was again the man in the thick of the action, and he made no mistake from the centre of the Sampdoria area as he rifled into the left corner of Fiorillo's goal.

The hosts were utterly dominant at that stage and Miccoli very nearly made it two in the 15th minute after Fabio Simplicio created the chance, but Fiorillo saved the ball as it headed into the top corner.

A minute later Simplicio let fly from 30 yards but it was straight at the grateful Fiorillo.

The match then became the Cassano show when, in the space of 10 minutes, he forced Amelia into action twice and then saw another effort go wide.

Just when Sampdoria seemed to be on the verge of a breakthrough they were then floored by a second goal for the hosts - Miccoli doing well to set up Davide Succi who finished well from the centre of the box.

However, just seconds later in the 42nd minute, the visitors found a lifeline when Pazzini scored from the edge of the area.

They thought they had equalised a minute into the second half but Cassano's header from Stankevicius's cross was ruled offside.

Simplicio should have put the game to bed in the 49th minute after a fine counter-attack but fired over the bar - and his team were made to pay 10 minutes later when Sampdoria got back on terms.

Cassano, enjoying an outstanding match, found Stankevicius and the Lithuanian midfielder found the left corner of the net to stun the home fans.

Fiorillo produced a trio of fine saves to keep the hosts at bay while Cassano continued to threaten throughout the second half, but a thrilling match ended all square.