Novara's chances of survival have been boosted following their smash-and-grab victory away to Siena.
The hosts started brightly and Pablo Andreas Gonzalez and Franco Brienza both went close inside the first ten minutes.
However, as the first half developed it was Novara who looked more likely to score and Gianluca Pegolo was forced into action to deny Giuseppe Mascara's driven effort 32 minutes.
The strugglers then squandered another opportunity just before half time, when Giuseppi Gemiti's cross found the head of Neves Capucho Jeda, who headed wide.
A draw looked the likely outcome before Marco Rigoni opened the scoring in the 72nd minute.
Filippo Porcari then made sure of the points in the 81st minute with a sweetly-driven shot from just outside the penalty area.
Novara now find themselves eight points from safety, with Siena remaining in 15th place.