SUPER SUB: Kalinić keeps Fiorentina on track in Serie A as Hofmann is the hero at Brentford

Serie A is a fascinating league currently with several teams vying for the chance to lift the coveted crown as reigning champions Juventus stutter.

One of them, Fiorentina, found themselves in a bit of a pickle on Sunday at home to Empoli and needed a spot of substitute magic to dig themselves out of trouble.

Marko Livaja and Marcel Buchel had propelled the enterprising visitors into an impressive 2-0 lead that had the Artemio Franchi grumbling over their half-time libation.

Boss Paulo Sousa had seen enough of Mario Suarez and Ante Rebic to know they were not up to scratch and threw on former Blackburn striker Nikola Kalinić and winger Federico Bernarderschi instead to try and salvage something from the game.

Croatian international Kalinic duly headed them back in it 10 minutes later from Marcos Alonso’s cross and added a second from close range in the 61st minute to grab a much needed point.

With Inter romping to a 4-0 victory in the evening clash against Frosinone, which put them two points clear at the top, the Viola’s point could be crucial towards the business end of the season.

Over in the Bundesliga, Robert Bauer came off the bench to help eradicate Darmstadt’s early lead and keep Ingolstadt in the hunt for Champions League places with a 3-1 win.

Back in England, Brentford have been one of the revelations in recent weeks after a horrendous start to the season threatened to derail the wonderful work achieved last season under old boss Mark Warburton.

With former development squad manager Lee Carsley now in charge, the Bees faithful were poised to accept a draw against Nottingham Forest with Henri Lansbury cancelling out Sergi Canos’ opener for the hosts.

Carsley brought off Lasse Vibe, though, and introduced German U21 international Philipp Hofmann and it paid off handsomely as the former Schalke forward found the corner with his left foot six minutes into injury time to sneak a precious 2-1 win.

Elsewhere in The Championship, Portuguese forward Lucas João turned the game against Huddersfield on its head with a timely brace to help Sheffield Wednesday to a riveting 3-1 victory that leaves them one point off the play-off places.

Honourable mention must also go to substitute Adebayo Azeez in League Two as his stoppage-time equaliser meant AFC Wimbledon came away from their home clash against Wycombe with a point that leaves them two points shy of the play-off spots.

The Scottish Premiership also saw one of the more thrilling finishes over the weekend as Patrick Thistle’s Ryan Stevenson entered the fray with eight minutes left at home to Inverness.

With the clock ticking into stoppage time, midfielder Stevenson grabbed a last-gasp winner to keep Partick above the relegation places thanks to a 2-1 victory.

Down in the Scottish Championship, Dumbarton sub Garry Flening’s 87th-minute leveller against Raith in the 3-3 draw could also be important as they battle to escape the drop.

Sub John Carter’s sole goal in the Scottish League Two match between Queen’s Park and Stirling keeps the former well and truly in the battle for promotion as well.

In rugby union, Ospreys nearly pulled off a tremendous comeback against French giants Clermont Auvergne courtesy of tries from replacements Sam Parry and Tom Habberfield only to come up just short in a 34-29 Champions Cup defeat.

Meanwhile in the Rugby Challenge Cup, Jon Mills climbed off the bench to score the key 78th-minute try for Sale that edged them past French outfit Pau 29-20.

Sadly for London Irish fans, Clement Gelin agonisingly crossed the line in injury time to gift Grenoble a 27-20 win in the same competition.

This is a weekly column for Yahoo Sport UK

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