ROME, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Napoli missed a chance to return to the top of Italy's second division Serie B when they drew 1-1 with Cesena on Monday.

The twice Italian champions, who are pushing hard to end their five-year exile from the top-flight, went ahead in the 19th minute of the match when Emanuele Calaio headed in Ivano Trotta's cross.

Cesena, however, hit back almost immediately, Senegalese striker N'Diaye Papa Waigo breaking the offside trap to slide the ball past visiting keeper Gennaro Iezzo.

The result left Napoli on 27 points from 15 matches, one behind leaders Juventus and Bologna and level with Piacenza.