Catania claimed a crucial 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Lazio to move themselves out of the Serie A relegation zone.

New signing Maxi Lopez grabbed the only goal of the game at the Stadio Olimpico to heap yet more pressure on Lazio coach Davide Ballardini.

The result is only the second away win of the season for Sinisa Mihajlovic's side but it will give them a huge boost in their bid to retain their top-flight status.

The hosts were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal as they wasted a string of chances during a dominant first-half display. They also had a late flurry of chances as they sought a late equaliser but it never came.

It was the hosts who made the better start as Sergio Floccari found space in the Catania box but his close-range shot was tipped around the post by Argentinian goalkeeper Mariano Andujar.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger then had a speculative shot from distance which flew wide of the right-hand post.

Andujar was then forced into another save as he managed to keep out a curling free-kick from Aleksandar Kolarov before Mauro Zarate shot just wide from fully 35 yards.

Catania finally began to settle after a difficult opening 20 minutes and Ezequiel Carboni had their first real effort on goal with a long-range effort that was parried away to safety by Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

But it was the Rome side that continued to have by far the better of the encounter with Hitzlsperger seeing his good build-up wasted by midfielder Stefano Mauri, who fired wide when free in the area.

Zarate then hit the post five minutes before half-time but the hosts just could not find the goal their pressure deserved and it proved to be costly as Catania were rejuvenated in the second half.

Former Barcelona forward Lopez went close from distance before Christian Llama headed Adrian Ricchiuti's cross over the bar when he really should have done better.

Lazio responded with another opportunity that Zarate wasted by blazing wide before Catania took a 63rd-minute lead.

Ricchiuti produced a great piece of skill before passing to Giuseppe Mascara. Mascara then fed Lopez who made no mistake to fire home after beating defender Andre Dias.

Ricchiuti then tried a lob from distance after he saw Muslera out of position, but his attempt went just over the crossbar.

Lazio mounted a late effort to find an equaliser as Kolarov broke into the box following a mazy dribble but Andujar came out to snatch the ball away from the Serbia international's feet.

Kolarov went close moments later with a powerful strike from outside the area, but Andujar was equal to it as he kept it out with a super save to his right.

Mariano Izco had one last chance for Ballardini's side in injury time but he, like so many before him, failed to hit the target after being set up by Japan international Takayuki Morimoto.