Palermo sank further into the relegation mire after suffering a 2-1 defeat at Cagliari.

Two goals from captain Daniele Dessena inflicted a fourth straight defeat on Roberto De Zerbi's men, who are 19th.

Ilija Nestorovski did pull a goal back for Palermo, but it was too little, too late.

Cagliari opened the scoring in the 54th minute as Dessena volleyed Davide Di Gennaro's cross home.

Palermo tried to react but instead fell two goals behind as Dessena doubled up when driving Marco Sau's pass beyond Josip Posavec.

With 10 minutes to go, Nestorovski slashed the deficit when Cagliari were daydreaming.