Napoli missed the chance to move up to second in Serie A as they were held to a 0-0 draw by their bogey team Genoa.

Napoli have not beaten Genoa since both sides returned to the top flight of Italian football two and a half years ago, while their last home victory over the Ligurians dates back over a decade to when the clubs were in Serie B.

It proved to be a frustrating night for Walter Mazzarri's side, who join Roma in a share of third place thanks to this point.

Napoli have not lost a night game at home since returning to the top flight and there was never any danger of that record ending against a defensive-minded Genoa outfit, who made it clear from the outset that they would settle for a point.

Their coach Gian Piero Gasperini sprang a surprise in his team selection by naming Greece defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos in his starting line-up, leaving midfielder Ivan Juric out.

The home side dominated the game early on and nearly went ahead when Genoa defender Dario Dainelli diverted a dangerous low cross against the outside of his own post.

In the 17th minute, Genoa tested Morgan De Sanctis for the first time with Domenico Criscito's 25-yard free-kick being pushed behind by the Napoli goalkeeper.

German Denis shot just over the crossbar after passing Emiliano Moretti in the penalty area before a dipping volley from Paolo Cannavaro, on a rare scurry forward, bounced back off the bar with Genoa goalkeeper Marco Amelia beaten.

Amelia had a busy night keeping Napoli at bay, but he proved he was up to the challenge.

He denied Denis early in the second half before Marek Hamsik shot wide of the goal.

Napoli just could not find a breakthrough, and their misfortune was typified in the 88th minute when Fabio Quagliarella's header went just the wrong side of the post with Amelia beaten.

But they still extended their unbeaten run under Mazzarri to 15 matches to remain in the hunt for a top-four finish at the end of the season while Genoa leap above Cagliari into seventh place, which may also be good enough for European qualification at the end of the season.