Roma were twice pegged back by Palermo as the two sides shared six goals in Sicily.

Both teams battled to the end of an entertaining Serie A clash at La Favorita which was packed with chances and end-to-end football.

Matteo Brighi opened the scoring for the visitors in the 20th minute, only for the Sicilians to level through Igor Budan shortly after.

One minute before half-time, Roma were back in front thanks to Nicolas Burdisso but their joy was shortlived as Fabrizio Miccoli equalised thirty seconds later.

Antonio Nocerino put the hosts in front for the first time after 54 minutes but Roma captain Francesco Totti equalised two minutes from time from the penalty spot.

The game flowed from end to end, although it was Roma who had the edge in the opening exchanges.

Totti was first to test Palermo goalkeeper Rubinho with his powerful right-footed strike which the keeper saved.

Shortly after, Totti left his marker as he surged towards the area only to fire wide.

The Roma captain proved influential in the deadlock being broken after 20 minutes.

Totti served Brighi inside the area, who struck a right-footed shot past Rubinho.

Midway through the first half, Riise could have doubled Roma's lead with his left-footed strike forcing Rubinho to make a fine save.

Just when Roma were playing at their best, Palermo equalised.

Budan's left-footed strike inside the area beat Roma goalkeeper Julio Sergio.

Roma reacted and went ahead again shortly after. Burdisso did well to latch onto Riise's corner towards the far post and headed into the back of the net.

Seconds later Palermo were back on level terms. Budan served Miccoli, who fired from close range past Julio Sergio to make it 2-2.

The hosts picked up where they left off and their efforts were again rewarded.

Miccoli's strike from the edge of the area was parried away by Julio Sergio but only as far as Nocerino, who fired into the back of the net.

On the hour mark, Simon Kjaer made a goalline clearance from Taddei's strike from the edge of the area with Rubinho already beaten.

Roma continued to surge forward in the hope of finding the equaliser.

Vucinic twice fired high over the bar and minutes later, Riise came close to surprising Palermo when he warmed the palms of Rubinho with a stinging free-kick.

Just when the hosts thought they had bagged all three points, Roma were given a helping hand.

The referee pointed to the spot after Rubinho brought down substitute Stefano Okaka inside the area.

Totti made no mistake and fired a right-footed shot towards the near post where Rubinho could not reach.

Vucinic could have given Roma the lead had Rubinho not made a good save from the Montenegrin's bullet-strike from the distance.