Roma's title hopes were dealt a serious blow after they could only draw 1-1 with relegation-threatened Livorno at the Stadio Olimpico.

Mirko Vucinic broke the deadlock to put the Romans ahead as they coasted through the match, only for substitute Alessandro Diamanti to punish them for their complacency with a stunning free kick seven minutes from time that keeps Roma three points behind league leaders Internazionale, having played a game more.

Montenegrin striker Vucinic beat the Livorno offside trap in the 55th minute to meet Simone Perrotta's floated ball and send a looping header over goalkeeper Marco Amelia to finally give Roma the lead they thoroughly deserved.

For a long time that goal looked as though it would be enough to secure the win and take Roma to within a point of Inter, before Diamanti's set piece curled round the wall and flew past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Doni to his side above Empoli into 19th place on goal difference.

The Tuscan visitors arrived as the club at the foot of the table, though an unlikely win in the capital would have lifted them temporarily out of the bottom three.

It was clear right from the start that going for all three points was never a priority in coach Giancarlo Camolese's mind, as his side concentrated in keeping ten men behind the ball as often as possible, leaving striker Francesco Tavano to make the most of whatever he could get up front on his own.

Roma captain Francesco Totti was instrumental in much of Roma's forward play, which at times was irresistible, and went close himself with two well-struck free kicks that were both just wide of the target.

Several other players had efforts blocked by one of several white shirts that filled the box for every attack, while Vucinic volleyed over the bar and defender Juan had a header cleared off the line.

Totti took a knock to his knee late in the half, and was replaced by Brazilian forward Mancini. The loss of their captain affected Roma somewhat, and they lost much of their earlier fluency for the rest of the half.

After the break the earlier pattern resumed, with the hosts dominating the possession, with Vucinic and Perrotta going close on several occasions.

Following Vucinic's opener Roma retained the same amount of possession but elected to see the match out in more pedestrian fashion rather than kill it off with a second goal.

Following Diamanti's equaliser, Roma manager Luciano Spalletti brought on Ludovic Guily, and Roma mounted a late surge for a winner.

They would have found one too, were it not for the heroics of Amelia in injury time, when he pulled off a remarkable save to parry a Daniele De Rossi header and see the match finish as a draw.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport