Spanish midfielder Alberto Zapater netted a free-kick after just four minutes and Giuseppe Sculli doubled the lead on 39 as he volleyed in a cross from Nenad Tomovic.
The fourth-placed home side -- at that point 2-1 down and playing with 10 men since before halftime after Nenad Tomovic was sent off for elbowing Balotelli's strike partner Stephan El Shaarawy -- fought back to equalize through a late penalty by David Pizarro.