Two late goals saw Roma beat Milan 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico to close the gap on Serie A leaders Internazionale to three points.

The match was a classic Italian slow-burner, a cautious start by both sides gradually picking up steam and exploding in the second half.

Kaka had a good chance with a header flicked wide just before the quarter hour mark, while Alex Pato almost found Clarence Seedorf free in the area but his cross was too high.

Amantino Mancini and Francesco Totti both went close, while Milan - most of whose threat was coming from the counter attack - were foiled by Rodrigo Taddei with some last-gasp defending from Seedorf's finish.

Kaka again went close with a header, as did Roma counterpart Totti, and an enthralling if not entirely eventful 45 minutes was capped off by a bizarre incident in which the referee and linesman missed a cheekily-taken corner by David Pizarro, who lightly touched the ball, ran off as if it had not been taken, allowing Simone Perrotta to dribble on goal with the ball, which was now in play. The referee was as confused as we were, and Roma's protests did not lead him to reverse the free-kick decision.

The second half was played at a more frantic pace, with tangible results. Kaka was played in after some great play by Seedorf, but Doni managed to get a hand on his rising shot, while the Brazilian shot-stopper denied Seedorf himself with a good save low to his right after Giuseppe Favalli found the Dutchman free in the box.

Milan were looking the more likely and the got their noses in front when, following the tactical introduction of Mirko Vucinic, Roma lost their shape and allowed Massimo Oddo the freedom of the right and time and space to pick out the late run of Kaka, who finished with aplomb.

Roma were furious with themselves and immediately tried to hit back, Totti twice going close, all the while leaving yet more space at the back for Milan to pick open, Seedorf at one point rounding Doni only for Cicinho to block his finish a few yards ahead of the goal-line.

Andrea Pirlo almost set Kaka up for a second, his pass finding the World Player of the Year, but the finish was not great and tipped away by Doni. Pato found himself in the book after he took a tumble after trying to round Doni, while Roma almost scored a wonder goal when Totti's delightful backheel was expertly controlled by Vucinic, who could not find the finish to match the build-up.

But Roma got their equaliser, although there were suspicions offside about the flying volley by substitute Ludovic Giuly that spun off his right foot and past the hapless Zeljko Kalac with 12 minutes remaining.

And they snatched a winner soon afterwards, Perrotta flinging a ball from the right into the path of Vucinic, who left the Milan defence for dead to drill low into the bottom right. Milan thought that was offside too, but the officials were not on their side this time either.

For the remainder of the game they were holding on to prevent a third, bar an incident in injury-time where Paloschi and sub Alberto Gilardino both somehow failed to connect with crosses, and a last-gasp free kick which Pirlo sent over, and Roma took a win which pulls them three points behind leaders Internazionale, while the Rossoneri stay fifth.

Earlier Udinese salvaged a 2-2 draw at home to Lazio thanks to a late Antonio Di Natale goal. Inter Milan host Palermo on Sunday.

Reda Maher / Eurosport