Geancarlo Gonzalez scored a late winner as Palermo climbed off the bottom of Serie A with a 2-1 win over Cesena on Sunday afternoon.

Nicola Leali was forced into action in the early stages to deny Paulo Dybala, who had timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap.

The Cesena goalkeeper was unable to get a hand to Palermo's next effort, but the woodwork came to his rescue as Dybala rattled the crossbar with his free kick.

Palermo continued to dominate proceedings throughout the first half, and Dybala ended his own frustration by curling home from the right side of the box after being gifted too much space by the Cesena defence.

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Cesena enjoyed an extended spell on top after the break and forced their way back into the match with a penalty from Alejandro Rodriguez, who slotted home from 12 yards after Sinisa Andjelkovic fouled Hordur Magnusson in the box.

Franco Vazquez was inches away from restoring Palermo's lead moments later, but his low effort rolled to safety after striking the post.

Cesena were dealt a blow late on when Manuel Coppola was shown a red card for a second bookable offence, after chopping down Andrea Belotti with a late challenge.

Palermo capitalised on their numerical advantage in the second minute of stoppage time when Gonzalez found a yard of space to head home Dybala's inviting corner.