Serie A: Alejandro Rodriguez gives Cesena 1-0 victory over Udinese

A strike from substitute Alejandro Rodriguez helped relegation-threatened Cesena claim a 1-0 victory over Udinese.

The Spanish forward headed home the winner in the 76th minute to hand the hosts just their fourth win of the campaign.

The result allowed Cesena to close the gap on Atalanta, who hold the last position of safety, to four points while Udinese dropped to 13th place after suffering a third successive defeat.

The Friuli outfit have not won since January 26 but went into the contest at the Dino Manuzzi stadium with plenty of rest after their game at financially-troubled Parma was postponed last week.

They enjoyed a bright start, creating the first chance of the match in the 15th minute.

Molla Wague's header from Danilo's cross, however, was kept out by Cesena goalkeeper Nicola Leali.

In the 29th minute, Gregoire Defrel unleashed a 30-yard attempt that was saved by Udinese keeper Orestis Karnezis.

Not long after, Udinese's top scorer Antonio Di Natale found space just outside the area but his attempt was off target.

At the other end, Karnezis had to fully stretch to clear Defrel's left-footed shot that was heading towards the far post.

Udinese should have taken the lead a minute before the interval.

Di Natale's cross found Danilo in the box and his right-footed shot was arrowing towards the near post but it was saved by Leali.

Udinese kept up the pressure after the re-start and wasted a good chance to break the deadlock in the 73rd minute.

Cyril Thereau set up Di Natale in the area, only for the striker to hit the ball just wide with only Leali to beat.

Cesena made no mistake three minutes later.

Rodriguez got past his marker and his close-range header from Franco Brienza's cross beat Karnezis.

Cesena defended well after that and, with Udinese unable to find a way through, they held on for a valuable victory.