In a first laegue meeting between the two sides since 1989/90, it was Bologna who edged a cagey opening 15 minutes, with Riccardo Orsolini seeing a low strike comfortably held by Marco Carnesecchi.
Having suffered four consecutive league defeats coming into the contest, Cremonese gradually improved after a slow start, as David Okereke tested Lukasz Skorupski with a powerful first-time effort.
Bologna looked to regain control of proceedings before the break with large spells of possession inside the Cremonese half.
However, a lack of cutting edge in the final third continued to prove problematic for the hosts, as Stefan Posch fired a strike straight at Carnesecchi and Lewis Ferguson saw a goal-bound effort brilliantly blocked by Vlad Chiricheș.
Cremonese emerged after the restart on the front foot, and were given a golden opportunity to take the lead when Nicolas Dominguez was harshly penalised for handball in the box.
The responsibility of taking the spot-kick fell to Okereke, and the Nigerian striker confidently converted to break the deadlock.
Undeterred by the setback, Bologna responded in impressive fashion, with an equaliser just five minutes later, as Joshua Zirkzee bundled home a close-range rebound, via an unfortunate touch from Chiriches.
With 20 minutes remaining, and the scoreline delicately poised, Bologna looked the more likely side to snatch a late winner. Orsolini and Ferguson both fired long-range efforts narrowly wide of the target, while at the other end, Cremonese had a penalty overturned following a lengthy VAR review.
The hosts continued to threaten with time ticking into stoppage time, but a remarkable goal-line clearance from Alex Ferrari secured a hard-earned point for Cremonese, who remain nine points adrift of safety.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna)
