A second-half goal from Alessandro Matri saw Serie A strugglers Lazio slump to yet another defeat at the hands of Cagliari.

Matri toe-poked the ball home in the 50th minute after Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera had fumbled a free-kick from Daniele Conti.

Lazio created chances to level the score but, like so many times this season, failed to hit the target.

The outcome marked the Sardinian outfit's fourth win of the campaign and their third on their travels this season.

The result was a bitter blow for the home fans with their team having failed to win in the league since August 30.

The Biancocelesti have dropped to 15th in the standings, just one point clear of the relegation zone.

The Stadio Olimpico is no longer the fortress it used to be for Lazio with Davide Ballardini's side having won just once at home this season.

Cagliari, full of confidence after their 3-2 triumph against Genoa in the last round, started brightly.

Matri was first to test Fernando Muslera with a right-footed strike from the edge of the area which the Lazio keeper saved.

Shortly after, Aleksandar Kolarov's stinging drive from inside the area forced Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti to save.

And the hosts should have been ahead after 20 minutes, but Mauro Zarate's fierce 25-yard shot just skimmed the crossbar.

Zarate had another good chance after 34 minutes but he scuffed his shot wide from inside the area when he should have at least tested the keeper.

As the first half edged to a close, Marchetti pulled off a good save to parry away Kolarov's strike which had taken a deflection from a Cagliari defender.

The visitors showed more determination after the restart and broke the deadlock in the 50th minute, albeit in slightly fortuitous fashion, from Matri's close-range touch.

The Sardinian outfit were unlucky not to extend their lead soon after.

Andrea Lazzari's left-footed strike from the distance hit the crossbar with Muslera already beaten.

Lazio reacted with Zarate's free-kick at the other end forcing Marchetti to dive to his right to clear.

The hosts were dominating possession and territory but their final ball let them down.

On the hour mark, Francesco Matuzalem got behind Zarate's pass but fired high over the bar.

In the 73rd minute, Muslera made a crucial save from Davide Biondini's bullet strike from outside the area.

Lazio almost levelled the score with 10 minutes remaining but Marchetti did well to fully stretch and keep out Kolarov's left-footed strike towards the near post.

Muslera then kept his team in the game by blocking Nene's effort from the edge of the area.

Lazio desperately surged forward in search of the equaliser but mustered little in the later stages of the game.

Cagliari almost made it 2-0 deep in stoppage time but Lazzari's left-footed strike from the edge of the area.