Sampdoria tonight continued to find life back in the big time easy as they beat Siena in their Serie A encounter at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Promoted over the summer, Samp got the better of AC Milan in a stunning opening-day win last weekend, and were on the money again tonight.

Were it not for a one-point deduction, they would have a share of the lead.

Daniele Gastaldello was their hero, scoring the winner 23 minutes from time after Maxi Lopez and Simone Vergassola had traded goals.

It was a get-out-of-jail goal for Gastaldello too, as he had earlier given away a penalty which led to Vergassola`s equaliser.

He took over the match-winning mantel from Andrea Costa, who scored the memorable goal at the San Siro last week, and the full-back impressed again tonight, whipping in an eighth-minute cross that nearly laid on an opener for Eder.

Lopez then started to impose himself on the game, playing in Eder who was denied by Gianluca Pegolo, who produced a sublime double save to keep out the Brazilian.

Ze Eduardo Love tried to get Siena - still in minus points owing to their own deduction - moving, but was kept out by Sergio Romero.

The opening goal would deservedly go to Samp, though, with Lopez trapping the ball in the box before wriggling free to get a shot away.

Love tried his luck again after the break, drilling over from the edge of the area, with Emanuele Calaio then planting a header wide.

Both men were celebrating with 62 minutes gone, though, although Calaio might have been more relieved when Vergassola followed up his penalty - given for Gastaldello`s foul on him - which struck the post.

But Gastaldello quickly redeemed himself, rising to nod in Pedro Obiang`s cross and give his side a lead they would not surrender again.

Siena ended the game with 10 men after Felipe was given a second yellow card with seven minutes remaining.