Maxi Lopez scored a late winner as Torino survived throwing away a two-goal lead to beat Cesena 3-2 in Serie A this afternoon.

Marco Benassi opened the scoring for the visitors in the 20th minute with a powerful strike from just inside the box.

Torino doubled their lead two minutes later as Fabio Quagliarella slotted in Alexander Farnerud's cross at the back post.

The hosts were then awarded a penalty after goalkeeper Daniele Padelli hauled down Franco Brienza. Brienza took the spot kick himself and made no mistake with a composed finish into the bottom corner.

With five minutes of the match left Cesena were given their second penalty following a handball by Pontus Jansson.

Once again Brienza stepped up to the spot and for the second time he coolly finished past Padelli.

However, Cesena's joy was short lived as just two minutes later Lopez latched on to Quagliarella's ball over the top to fire home and steal the three points for Torino.