Matri's late goal gives Juve draw at Milan

MILAN (AP) — Alessandro Matri's late goal prevented Juventus from slipping to its first defeat of the season as it snatched a 1-1 draw at Serie A leader AC Milan in a thrilling top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.

Leonardo Bonucci's error, which led to Antonio Nocerino's goal, looked to have gifted Milan a 1-0 win but Matri pounced seven minutes from time to steal a share of the points.

Both teams had goals ruled out, although Milan's was certainly the most unjust as Sulley Muntari's header was several yards over the line but the referee waved play on.

Arturo Vidal was sent off shortly before the end after tackling Philippe Mexes from behind.

Juventus, which has not lost since the penultimate game of last season, remains one point behind leader and defending champion Milan, with a game in hand.

Milan had scored seven goals in its past two games but it was a sterling defensive performance which almost secured it victory as Juventus barely had a sight on goal.

The Rossoneri looked dangerous in attack as well, particularly down the flanks and they whipped in good crosses which — for the most part — the Juve defense dealt with well. Juventus was restricted mainly to long-range shots, although it started to edge closer shortly before its equalizer.

Juventus was unbeaten going into the game but Milan was full of confidence after three successive wins following its Coppa Italia home leg defeat to the Bianconeri. That run included a comprehensive 4-0 rout of Arsenal in the first leg of its Champions League last-16 match-up.

Milan took the lead when Bonucci's clearance fell straight to the opposing team and Nocerino lashed a stunning shot home from 30 yards.

The home side had a second goal clamorously disallowed 12 minutes later. Gianluigi Buffon did well to save from Philippe Mexes, and then parried again to deny Muntari but the Milan striker's header had already crossed the line.

Much to the crowd's disapproval, the referee continued play. With the Milan players still protesting, Juve raced downfield and would have scored had Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati not pulled off a brilliant save to deny Marcelo Estigarribia.

Milan was even more aggrieved when Robinho was brought down by Buffon moments later but no penalty was given.

Juventus was restricted to trying its luck from distance and Andrea Pirlo, who spent 10 years at Milan before joining Juventus last summer, sent one such effort narrowly wide of the left upright on the half hour.

Milan again went close shortly before halftime when Thiago Silva's free kick crashed off the Juve wall and back out to Mark van Bommel, whose effort scraped the outside of the left upright.

Milan almost extended its lead shortly after the restart but Buffon timed his exit to perfection to snatch the ball off the feet of Stephan El Shaarawy, who had come on at halftime in place of Alexandre Pato.

Juventus went close in the 73rd when Abbiati pulled off a fantastic save to deny Fabio Quagliarella from point-blank range after Giorgio Chiellini's cross.

Matri thought he got the equalizer 12 minutes from time but his effort was ruled out for offside.

The Juve striker, who came off the bench in the 70th, did level soon after, volleying home Simone Pepe's cross for a goal which could well prove decisive in the title race.

Earlier, Rodrigo Palacio leveled deep into stoppage time to snatch Genoa a 2-2 draw against Parma, and snap its three-game losing streak.

Massimo Gobbi gave Parma the lead in the sixth minute and it seemed certain to be heading to victory when Sergio Floccari rifled home against his old team.

However, Genoa eventually upped its game 20 minutes from time and Palacio pulled one back in the 78th after Francesco Modesto handled Kevin Constant's cross in the area. Palacio's initial effort was saved but the Argentine was able to tap the rebound into an empty net.

Genoa players were up in arms soon after when their side was denied a second spot kick, when Modesto barged into Ze Eduardo in the area. And justice was perhaps served late one as Cristobal Jorquera picked out Palacio through a crowd of defenders and he slotted in off the inside of the bottom right post.

Parma defender Alessandro Lucarelli was dismissed moments later for — wrongly — arguing that the goal should have been ruled out for offside.