AC Milan held by Catania in Italian Serie A

Rome, April 1 (IANS) AC Milan were held to a 1-1 draw at Catania, giving Juventus renewed hope in the Italian Serie A title race.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic assisted Robinho to give the Rossoneri the lead in the 35th minute before Nicolas Spolli levelled for the hosts in the 57th minute Saturday.

With no further goals, but plenty of controversy, the result lifted Catania to within a point of sixth-placed Roma while Milan extended their advantage over Juve at the top of the table to five points with the Bianconeri hosting Napoli Sunday night.

The controversy came halfway through the second half when Giovanni Marchese lunged desperately to clear Robinho's shot off the goal line, and referee Mauro Bergonzi was convinced that the Catania defender had got there just in time to prevent the ball from crossing the line completely.

AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri insisted it was a goal, but did not blame the match officials.

"It' s very difficult to tell, but it was a goal," Allegri was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

"It' s not about the referee or linesman, as it is difficult to tell, but the problem is that there are many who keep on talking and ought to shut up," he said, referring to Juventus who have always been demanding a fair treatment on the pitch.