Ten-man Bologna secured their return to Serie A after holding Pescara to a 1-1 draw in a decisive Serie B playoff to join Carpi and Frosinone in Italy's top flight next season.

The sides had played to a scoreless draw in the first leg of the playoff and although the deciding leg finished 1-1, Bologna earned promotion because they finished higher up the table than Pescara in the regular season.

"We deserved promotion," said Bologna coach Delio De Rossi, who took over at the club midway through the season.

"I'm really happy for the lads, they gave it absolutely everything till the end."

Gianluca Sansone broke the deadlock for Bologna in the 37th minute, only for Pescara substitute Cristian Pasquato to level 10 minutes into the second half.

Bologna required only a draw to go through but DeRossi's men had a nervous final 25 minutes after Ibrahima M'baye was sent off.

Bologna, owned by New York lawyer Joe Tacopina and Montreal Impact President Joey Saputo, were relegated at the end of the 2014 season, meaning they have assured their return to Serie A after just one season in the second division.