Cristian Maggio scored the winner two minutes from time as Napoli claimed their first away win of the season to dent Fiorentina's surprise title push.

La Viola had emerged as a threat to Inter Milan's championship defence with four wins and one loss in their opening eight fixtures, but suffered a second loss of the campaign and are seven points behind the Nerazurri, who beat Catania 2-1 yesterday.

The hosts looked the more likely victors until the final 10 minutes when Napoli striker Fabio Quagliarella saw a penalty saved and Maggio's strike came on the break as the visitors ended their poor away run, which had seen them lose the previous four, conceding 11 goals in the process.

Maggio was at the heart of the action from the start, forcing a save from Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey after two minutes.

Ezequiel Lavezzi found Maggio on the right and he fired a diagonal shot which the France international stopper had to parry clear.

Visiting goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis was soon in action, saving from Adrian Mutu following Lorenzo De Silvestri's right-wing cross.

Cristiano Zanetti tried an altogether different approach, shooting from long range but off target after 18 minutes.

The hosts were in the ascendancy and Juan Vargas flew down the left wing. He forged forward and was allowed to shoot, but his effort was dragged wide.

Mutu then won a free-kick 35 yards out, only to hit the resulting shot wide of the upright.

Napoli came back into the game, with Lavezzi seeing an effort saved by the feet of Frey before the goalkeeper blocked Marek Hamsik's effort.

Hamsik then cut loose on the right, making himself space for a shot which was again saved by Frey.

The Slovakia midfielder had a third effort in quick succession and found the net after 34 minutes having been played through by Lavezzi, but the strike was ruled out for offside.

Fiorentina had the final opportunity of the half when Martin Jorgensen, who replaced Mario Alberto Santana after 30 minutes, crossed for Mutu, but the Romania striker could only head over the bar.

Fiorentina had the opening opportunity of the second period when Alberto Gilardino, an interval replacement for Mutu, had a volley saved by De Sanctis.

Jorgensen was first to react to the loose ball, but his effort was blocked by Hamsik on the line.

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri lost his composure midway through the half and was sent from the touchline for his protests and Fiorentina continued to look the more likely to net.

Vargas' cross was headed wide by Gilardino, but the striker had already been flagged for offside.

Napoli were then awarded a penalty when Massimo Gobbi was adjudged to have fouled Hamsik in the box.

Quagliarella stepped up to take the resulting spot kick, but Frey guessed correctly, diving to his right to push the ball away.

The Napoli striker was frustrated by Frey two minutes later after a snapshot from close range, but Napoli were successful at beating the goalkeeper with their next attempt.

The visitors surged forward on the counter attack and Maggio was on hand to tap in from close range after a long ball from German Denis.