ROME, 19 March 2007 — Inter Milan moved a step closer to retaining their Serie A title after they won 2-1 at struggling Ascoli and second-placed Roma were held to a goalless draw at Fiorentina yesterday.

The results saw Inter stretch their lead at the top of the table to 18 points with just 10 games left to play.

Ascoli held the champions for 65 minutes before Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice — both of them set up by second-half substitute Adriano — to take his tally for the season to 15 goals.

The deadlock was broken when Adriano crossed from the right and Ibrahimovic buried a right-footed volley into the bottom corner.

Ibrahimovic doubled Inter’s lead in the 73rd minute with a low, left-footed shot after Adriano’s robust run.

Massimo Bonanni scored a late consolation goal for Ascoli, slotting home a penalty in the third of four minutes added on after Walter Samuel had fouled Sasa Bjelanovic.

Inter have 76 points from their 28 matches played, followed by Roma on 58 points.

Roma’s trip to Florence was short of goals, but there was no lack of action.

Fiorentina defender Dario Dainelli was sent off in the 32nd minute for two yellow cards before Roma winger Mancini had a goal disallowed.

Despite playing with 10 men, Fiorentina came closest to sneaking the points when Manuel Pasqual’s curling free-kick hit the post in the second half.

AC Milan remain firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish and a Champions League place next season after edging Atalanta 1-0 at the San Siro.

Massimo Ambrosini, captaining the Milan side in the absence of the injured Paolo Maldini, scored the only goal with a close range header just before half time.

Chievo, Reggina and Parma all boosted their hopes of avoiding the drop to Serie B with priceless wins.

Chievo defeated fellow strugglers Cagliari 2-0, Reggina thrashed Catania 4-1 and Claudio Ranieri celebrated his first victory since taking over as Parma coach in a 1-0 win against Siena.

Success for the relegation-threatened trio was bad news for Messina, the Sicilian side losing 3-0 at home to Torino and falling into the drop zone.

Antonio Di Natale scored twice as Udinese ended a run of six matches without a win by thumping Livorno 4-0.

Charlton beat Newcastle

to raise survival hopes

In London, Charlton Athletic moved within four points of Premier League safety thanks to a well-deserved 2-0 home victory over Newcastle United yesterday.

On-loan China captain Zheng Zhi headed his first goal for the Londoners after 53 minutes when a Darren Bent free kick came back off the bar.

Charlton had to wait until two minutes from time for their second when Zheng was brought down and Jerome Thomas scored the resulting penalty.

The win took Charlton to 27 points from 30 games, four behind Sheffield United and six adrift of Wigan Athletic and Manchester City.

Sunday’s other early game between Aston Villa and Liverpool was goalless at Villa Park.

Celtic slump to defeat at Falkirk

In Glasgow, champions Celtic slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Falkirk yesterday in a Scottish Premier League encounter which featured two red cards.

Celtic’s Craig Beattie missed a penalty after six minutes and seventh-placed Falkirk made the visitors pay when Steven Thomson scored with a header 10 minutes later.

The match boiled over seven minutes before the interval when Celtic’s Stephen McManus squared up to Carl Finnigan of Falkirk outside the penalty box.

McManus hauled down Finnigan who then appeared to elbow the defender as they tangled on the ground, referee John Underhill sending off both players.

Leaders Celtic have 74 points from 31 matches. Rangers are second on 61 after their 3-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday.