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Serie A leaders Internazionale were held to an entertaining 2-2 draw by Chievo in Verona.

Hernan Crespo gave the visitors an early lead which was cancelled out by Michele Marcolini.

Mario Balotelli scored a wonder-goal to put Inter ahead again but Luciano Sequeira (pictured) levelled with a superb strike of his own.

Inter got off to a fantastic start when Crespo finished from close range after Stefano Sorrentino failed to hold on to Esteban Cambiasso's low drive.

The Argentine striker has been out-of-favour since his former manager at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, arrived at the Giuseppe Meazza in the summer.

But with Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended and Julio Cruz on the bench, the 33-year-old was handed a start and repaid the faith with a typical poacher's goal.

Luis Figo went close to doubling the lead after the shaky Sorrentino flapped at a cross from Balotelli, but his effort was deflected off the post.

Chievo levelled on 27 minutes when a long shot from Marcolini took a wicked deflection off Walter Samuel, wrong-footed Julio Cesar and flew into the right-hand side of the Inter goal.

It came from nothing but gave the Flying Donkeys confidence and, going into half-time, they were the better side and went close through Sergio Pellissier but his header went wide.

The second half was a similar affair, with Inter keeping the ball but the hosts looking more incisive on the break.

They should have taken the lead but Balotelli's double-effort was blocked after a cute one-two between Cambiasso and Crespo, whose backheeled pass was worthy of a goal in itself.

Balotelli did hit the back of the net, with his subdued celebration failing to adequately represent one of the goals of the season.

On 64 minutes, a loose ball dropped to the Italy starlet on the right and, letting the ball bounce, he smashed in a wicked rising drive that rattled in off the bar.

It was reminiscent of Marco van Basten in his pomp, although Balotelli merely walked away with his index finger held to his lips, highlighting his upset at the abuse - often racial - he suffers at the hands of opposition fans.

The goal was worthy of winning any match, but it was not to be.

Ordinarily Siqueira's superbly-controlled low volley on 73 minutes would be the highlight of the game, but in this case it was enough to secure a point for Chievo that keeps them at arm's length from the relegation places.

The result also means Milan, who face third-placed Juventus later on Sunday, have a fighting chance of catching Inter at the top of the table as a win for the Rossoneri would put them five points off the pace with four games remaining.

Little changed in the relegation scrap given fourth-bottom Torino drew 1-1 at home with third-bottom Bologna and fellow strugglers Lecce were held 1-1 by Napoli.

Fiorentina strengthened their grip on the fourth Champions League spot with a 2-0 win at Catania with Stevan Jovetic and Luciano Zauri scoring either side of the break.

Fifth-placed Genoa slipped three points behind after drawing 1-1 at Atalanta while Roma's Champions League hopes ended after a fiery 2-2 draw at Cagliari.

Roma, whose coach Luciano Spalletti has been criticised by supporters, dropped 10 points behind Fiorentina in sixth but have a two-point advantage over Palermo in the race for what is likely to be the final Europa League berth via Serie A.

A lacklustre Palermo were beaten 1-0 at Siena.

Playing later on Sunday:

Milan v Juventus (19:30 UK time)

Reda Maher / Eurosport