ROME (AFP) - Inter Milan took a huge step towards the Serie A title after they beat Cagliari 1-0 and closest rivals Roma lost by the same score at Empoli.

Inter´s victory at the San Siro, sealed by Nicolas Burdisso´s first-half header, stretched their lead at the top of the table to 14 points and extended their record run of consecutive Serie A victories to 16 games.

Roma´s hopes of catching Inter were dealt a massive blow at Empoli where Nicola Pozzi´s unstoppable fourth-minute strike secured three points for the plucky Tuscan club dreaming of a place in Europe.

In Saturday´s other match Ronaldo scored twice on his first start for AC Milan in their last-gasp 4-3 win at Siena, which moved them up to fifth place.

Inter, the reigning champions, remain way out in front with 63 points from their 23 matches played, followed by Roma on 49 and third-placed Palermo, who host Chievo on Sunday, on 42.

Empoli are fourth on 35 points, two ahead of AC Milan who were deducted eight points for their role in the Italian match-fixing scandal.

Inter seem set to retain the Scudetto, but Roberto Mancini refused to admit that the title was in the bag.

"The championship is definitely not over," the Inter coach told Sky Sport Italia.

"It´s going to be very difficult for Roma as we have a very good advantage over them, but anything can happen between now and the end of the season.

"We just have to make sure that we keep our foot on the accelerator."

Cagliari fell behind to Inter in the 11th minute.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic crossed from the right with the outside of his right boot and Argentine defender Burdisso planted a firm header past Marco Fortin.

Dejan Stankovic came closest to adding to Inter´s lead when his fierce shot rattled the bar 16 minutes from time.

Only season-ticket holders were allowed into the San Siro under strict security measures brought in by the Italian government following the death of a policeman in Sicily earlier this month when Catania fans rioted.

Pozzi gave Empoli the perfect start against Roma with a thunderous effort that gave Alexander Doni no chance.

Chilean playmaker David Pizarro almost equalised in the 10th minute, but his shot was turned onto the post by Daniele Balli.

Siena´s Massimo Maccarone, a recent signing from English Premiership side Middlesbrough, matched Ronaldo´s feat of scoring twice but ended up on the losing side.

With the teams tied at 3-3 and AC Milan reduced to 10 men following Christian Brocchi´s sending-off, substitute Massimo Ambrosini stooped to head the winning goal in the fourth minute of injury time.

Despite finishing third last season, Inter were awarded the league title after Juventus and AC Milan were deducted points for match-fixing.