LECCE, Italy — Argentine striker Santiago Pierotti scored his first goal for Lecce to help avoid another Serie A defeat with a 1-1 draw against Empoli on Friday.

Antonio Gallo crossed from the left for the central striker to equalize with a late header for the home side.

It was Pierotti’s first goal in 22 Serie A appearances since joining Lecce from Argentine club Colón de Santa Fe in January.

Lecce started the game bottom of the table having lost five of their previous seven matches, but Friday’s point lifted them above Monza and Venezia before facing Lazio and Parma respectively.

Pietro Pellegri fired inside the left post from outside the box in the 33rd for Empoli, his second goal in as many matches. Pellegri’s goal in the 1-0 win over Como last weekend was his first since his summer move from Turin.