Fiorentina found a late goal with a bit of luck, but were full value for a win over Udinese in Serie A action, as they had a majority of the chances.

The hosts used Francesco Lodi in place of Alexis Sanchez and top scorer Antonio Di Natale returned to the starting XI.

Meanwhile, Viola boss Cesare Prandelli began the match with Mario Santana, Marco Marchionni, and Juan Vargas in support of lone striker Alberto Gilardino due to the absences of strikers Adrian Mutu and Stevan Jovetic.

The visitors had the first chance, with Gilardino's diagonal shot from the centre of the area being stopped by Samir Handanovic. Soon after, a Vargas free-kick was too central to trouble the Slovenian.

The opportunities dried up, despite increased pressure from Udinese and Riccardo Montolivo was booked for a ferocious tackle in midfield.

The Zebrette did not register their first shot on target until the 26th minute, when Di Natale set up a long-range strike for Lodi, but Sebastien Frey was equal to the task.

Vargas has been in excellent form as of late and nearly converted a stunning long-range strike after some neat interplay following a set-piece, but it flew just wide of the goal.

Before the end of the first-half, coach Pasquale Marino replaced Simone Pepe with veteran prima punta Bernardo Corradi. Prandelli was forced into making a change, as Gianluca Comotto came on for the injured Santana, but the half ended scoreless.

Fiorentina had to make another change due to injury just a few minutes into the second-half, with former Lecce striker Jose Castillo taking over for injured full-back Lorenzo De Silvestri.

Vargas was once again involved, but to no avail, peeling away from the defence and trying a shot from a difficult angle after Marchionni's run. After 63 minutes Di Natale put an accurate cross into the box for Corradi, however his header was blocked. Both teams were stepping up the search for a winner.

Italian international Di Natale was once again involved as the assist man, as Lodi fired high and wide from the right side of the area.

Late on, the Viola's biggest threat, finally broke the deadlock in the 84th minute. Vargas curled in a free-kick from the right and it took a slight deflection off Giovanni Pasquale and bounced past Handanovic to give the visitors a precious advantage!

Udinese nearly found an equaliser as Di Natale's close range effort was blocked by Frey in injury time, but in the end Fiorentina collected another three points to join Sampdoria on 21 points in the standings.