AC Milan miss chance to go fourth after draw with Livorno

Nico Pulzetti put Livorno in front before Andrea Pirlo equalized from the penalty spot as Milan played the last of three games they had in hand to now sit fifth on 37 points, one behind Fiorentina, after 22 games.

 Title holders Inter Milan are firmly in the lead on 56 points, with Roma trailing on 48 ahead of a mouthwatering game with third- place Juventus, on 44.

 Pirlo twice threathed for Milan in the first half at the Giuseppe Meazza but goalkeeper Marco Amelia was up to the task.

 The Italy international also found Alberto Paloschi on 16 minutes, but the young striker only managed a feeble shot from inside the area.

 Only Francesco Tavano threatened for the visitors when, on 30 minutes, he had the best of Massimo Oddo but fired high over the bar.

 Massimo Ambrosini had a close-range effort saved by Amelia seven minutes later as Milan closed the first half the stronger.

 However, the Devils paid dearly for slowing down after the break and found themselves one down on 50 minutes as the towering Zeljko Kalac stood no chance against a perfect shot that Pulzetti drilled under the bar to the right of the Australian goalkeeper.

 Coach Carlo Ancelotti reacted by bringing on veterans Filippo Inzaghi and Ronaldo for Paloschi and Alberto Gilardino.

 A few minutes after coming on, however, Ronaldo badly hurt his left knee as Milan were awarded a spot kick.

 Pirlo was flawless from the spot on the hour, equalizing as the Brazilian star was stretchered off the pitch.

 Inzaghi, now playing alone up front, tried a shot on 66 minutes and came close on 75 minutes with a great diving header that was well saved by Amelia.

 Pulzetti had a chance to snatch a late win for Livorno, but incredibly failed to beat again Kalac as he fumbled a cross from Giovanni Pasquale.

 The Tuscany side moved on to 24 points and are now five points clear of the three teams in the relegation zone.