Simone Tiribocchi came off the bench to score a late winner for Atalanta as they gave their Serie A survival hopes a timely boost.

Back-to-back defeats had seen Atalanta drop into the relegation zone ahead of the contest, but Tiribocchi's strike eight minutes from time was enough to earn them the points at the Stadio Azzurri D'Italia.

The Bergamo outfit remain second from bottom in the table however, three points below Livorno who hold the last position of safety, while Bari slip to 10th.

The mid-table Galletti have surprised many this season following their promotion from Serie B, and gave Atalanta a scare after just three minutes.

Riccardo Meggiorini was played in by Vladimir Koman but defender Tomas Manfredini closed him down to get the ball out for a corner.

Leonardo Bonucci then rose highest to meet the set piece and his header brought a great save from home goalkeeper Andrea Consigli.

Atalanta produced their first chance five minutes later though Jaime Valdes, who played a neat through-ball which Ferreira Pinto fired just over the bar with his left foot.

It was an encouraging bit of play for Atalanta, and Fabio Caserta tried his luck soon after with a low shot from distance which went wide of the mark.

Bari's best hopes of a goal seemed to come from set pieces, and Edgar Barreto saw his free-kick on the half-hour mark poked past the post by Jose Leonardo Talamonti.

The hosts looked the better side though, and Cristiano Doni wasted a good chance to give them the lead after 35 minutes when he headed Pinto's cross over the bar from close range.

Valdes was also causing Bari a few problems in midfield and he was allowed to get in another pass to Caserta, but goalkeeper Jean Francois Gillet was on hand to clear the danger.

Atalanta were just as lively at the start of the second half and Gianpaolo Bellini was given space to work his way down the left before whipping in a cross which Pinto volleyed over.

Valdes also made a charge forward after 64 minutes, hitting a powerful drive from 25 yards which flew narrowly wide.

Bari's defence was beginning to look vulnerable and Valdes again tried to take advantage minutes later, smashing a left-footed volley just inside the area which cleared the crossbar.

Gillet was also called into action after 71 minutes to keep out a low shot from Nicola Amoruso.

Atalanta coach Bortolo Mutti made a double substitution two minutes later, bringing on Tiribocchi and Ernesto Chevanton in place of Amoruso and Caserta, in a bid to find the elusive opener.

Chevanton almost obliged within moments of his introduction with a stinging drive which Gillet did well to palm away.

But it was Tiribocchi who finally got the goal Atalanta deserved, collecting a pass from Chevanton before finding the top corner with a well-controlled strike.