An early goal from Valeri Bojinov helped Parma maintain their fine form with a win against Siena.

The hosts, who have now lost just one of their last five games in Serie A - a run which has also seen them beat Palermo and Lazio, secured the three points courtesy of Bojinov's sixth-minute strike.

Siena rarely looked like registering their second win of the season and any hope of a comeback effectively ended as early as the 34th minute when Michele Fini was dismissed.

It could have been a different story had the visitors converted a second-minute opportunity.

Gael Genevier whipped in a cross from the right towards Massimo Maccarone but the former Italy international was unable to stretch far enough to make headed contact.

Parma went ahead from the next chance of note. Blerim Dzemaili was the architect with a defence-splitting through-ball and Bojinov, on a season-long loan from Manchester City, did the rest with a cool finish past Siena goalkeeper Gianluca Curci.

Dzemaili was denied a second after 18 minutes by a fine save from Curci, the goalkeeper pushing away the shot after the Switzerland international had wriggled clear of Claudio Terzi.

Veteran defender Christian Panucci was next to test the Siena goal with a header from a corner which went inches over the crossbar.

The visitors were creating little going forward although they almost grabbed an equaliser out of nothing in the 22nd minute, Genevier's effort deflected just past the post by Maccarone.

Parma swiftly reasserted their superiority and Bojinov ought to have made it 2-0 in the 31st minute.

Dzemaili was again the creator with a low cross which Bulgarian Bojinov should have turned in, but instead he powered his effort over the crossbar with Curci a mere spectator.

Siena's afternoon took a turn for the worse 11 minutes before half-time when Fini was shown a straight red card for a reckless elbow on Stefano Morrone.

Parma started the second half on the front foot with the impressive Dzemaili crossing for Daniele Galloppa, whose header caused panic in the Siena area before Curci came to the rescue with a commanding claim with several home players lurking.

Maccarone was arguably Siena's star performer and the shaven-headed striker twice came close to conjuring up an equaliser.

First, he brought out a fine save from Parma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante with a left-footed drive and, 13 minutes later, he fired wide from 35 yards after cleverly creating space for himself.

Parma came again late on and Curci excelled himself with a brilliant stop after Paolo Castellini centred for substitute Alberto Paloschi.

Having been second best for much of the afternoon, Siena almost grabbed a share of the spoils with two minutes to go with only a perfectly-timed tackle from Cristian Zaccardo preventing Albin Ekdal from getting in a shot on goal when well placed.

Siena's frustration boiled over in injury time with coach Marco Giampaolo sent to the stands after voicing his frustration at events on the pitch.

The win moved Parma up to fifth in Serie A with Siena now residing in the relegation zone.