Serie A: Palermo 2 Milan 2

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri may have earned a stay of execution after his side fought from behind for a 2-2 draw with Palermo.

The embattled coach has been under severe pressure after a lacklustre start to his side’s Serie A campaign and the Italian giants appeared headed for more misery after trailing 2-0 in Tuesday’s clash with Palermo at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

The hosts scored through a Fabrizio Miccoli penalty and Franco Brienza’s goal either side of half-time.

However, Milan fought back late in the second half, earning a hard-fought draw through late goals from Riccardo Montolivo and in-form youngster Stephan El Shaarawy.

Although Palermo enjoyed most of the early possession the opening-half was a dour, defensive affair as both sides tested each other out.

But just as it appeared they would head to half-time without a goal being scored, Ignazio Abate was penalised for his handball in the area, allowing Miccoli to fire his side into the lead from the spot.

Within 90 seconds of the re-start, Brienza doubled the advantage, stunning AC Milan with a long-range strike from 25 metres.

But Allegri’s decision to bring Bojan Krkic off the bench proved a masterstroke as he tested Palermo stopper Samir Ujkani in the 58th minute before teeing up Montolivo for Milan’s first goal 11 minutes later.

With 10 minutes remaining in the match, El Shaarawy saved Milan’s blushes with a classy turn and strike for goal from 10 metres, the ball creeping in to score, possibly saving Allegri’s position for one more week.

The result sees AC Milan climb to eighth on the table as Palermo remain 16th.