Antonio Di Natale scored a first-half winner to help Udinese see off struggling Sassuolo 1-0 in their Serie A match at the Stadio Friuli in Udine.

The visitors came close to taking the lead early on when Simone Zaza latched onto a long ball and worked himself some space before firing in a low drive, which was beaten away by Simone Scuffet.

Udinese had a chance of their own soon after through Bruno Fernandes, who picked the ball up just outside the box and drilled a shot wide of the post.

In the 26th minute the hosts took the lead when Di Natale latched onto a mishit shot at the back post to nod the ball into the net past Gianluca Pegolo.

Udinese were given the chance to score a second 10 minutes later when Diego Farias handled inside the box, but Di Natale blazed the resulting penalty high over the bar.

Sassuolo struggled to create chances but had a chance of their own to draw level in the second half when they were awarded a penalty for Giampiero Pinzi's foul on Gaetano Masucci.

Sergio Floccari stepped up to take the spot kick, but he placed the ball against the post and could not react quickly enough to score from the rebound.

It proved to be the away side's last chance of the match, as Udinese held on to move 10 points clear of the relegation zone.