Vincenzo Montella gave the home side a first-half lead with a cool finish after springing Reggina's flimsy offside trap, before second-half substitute John Carew's angled shot made the points safe nine minutes from time.

Victory maintained Roma's unbeaten run and saw them move up to third behind leading pair AC Milan and Juventus, who played out a 1-1 draw at the San Siro on Saturday night.

Roma, who won the league title in 2001, have 18 points from their eight matches played, two less than Italy's two superpowers, who are also unbeaten.

Montella made no excuses for his side's patchy performance, insisting championship-winning sides often do the bare minimum to win matches.

"It was a difficult match and we had to endure some tricky moments, but overall we deserved to win," said the former Italy international, who was none too happy at being substituted early in the second-half.

"To be there or thereabouts at the end of the season you need to know how to grind out victories, even against the smaller teams."

Reggina coach Franco Colomba refused to be downbeat after watching his side dominate for long periods in the capital.

"What was positive was the way in which we approached the game, with intelligence and confidence. We also know how to fight."

Parma's 3-2 win at Brescia lifted them up to fourth in the table a point behind Roma.

The visitors twice came from behind before edging a five-goal thriller in Lombardy thanks to Alberto Gilardino's 70th minute winner.

In Sunday's late match Inter Milan recorded their first victory under their new coach Alberto Zaccheroni, winning 2-0 away to Chievo.

The match turned in Inter's favour in the 35th minute when Chievo's experienced goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani was sent off for committing a professional foul on Christian Vieri.

Chievo coach Luigi Del Neri was then forced into replacing Brazilian forward Amauri with substitute goalkeeper Giorgio Frezzolini.

Inter finally wore the 10 men down in the 64th minute when Vieri headed home Alvaro Recoba's inviting cross.

And Vieri returned the favour four minutes later, setting up Recoba for an easy chance to settle the game.

Inter's win lifted them up to sixth, seven points adrift of the top two.

Italy international Cristiano Doni's 33rd minute strike gave Sampdoria a 1-0 win away to Bologna, while surprise package Modena won by the same scoreline at home to Perugia, Riccardo Allegretti grabbing the deciding goal.

Bottom club Empoli are still looking for their first win since being promoted after stumbling 2-1 at Lecce where Ernesto Chevanton scored twice for the home side.

Empoli remain rooted to the basement with just two points from a possible 24, one behind Ancona who were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Siena.