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Milan came from behind for the third match running as they beat Chievo 2-1 in a smash-and-grab Serie A thriller in Verona.

The Rossoneri trailed to a seventh-minute Giampero Pinzi goal but a late headed brace by Alessandro Nesta - including an injury-time winner - sandwiched a remarkable save from Milan keeper Dida.

In the last minute of normal time, the Brazilian keeper stuck his arm out one way while flying the other to somehow keep out Pablo Granoche's point-blank header that seemed destined for the net.

The stop erased memories of his dreadful error that allowed Real Madrid striker Raul to score in midweek and, within seconds, his team-mates won a corner down the other that led to Nesta powering a header past poor Stefano Sorrentino, who had been excellent in goal for Chievo.

It was rough on Domenico Di Carlo's Flying Donkeys, who thought they had done enough to beat a lacklustre Milan side that became more threatening after the introduction of Marco Borriello for the ineffectual Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on the hour mark.

The hosts took the lead on seven minutes thanks to Pinzi's angled finish into the bottom left after skipper Sergio Pellissier let Andrea Mantovani's low centre run to the on-loan Udinese midfielder.

Clarence Seedorf had a chance to level on the quarter-hour mark but his control let him down twice and Sorrentino was able to block on both occasions.

Pellissier could have made it 2-0 five minutes before the break but fired over from close range and Chievo deserved their half-time lead.

In the second half Milan looked more dangerous from the outset as they showed the courage that saw them come from behind to beat Roma and Real Madrid during the previous week.

An uncharacteristically poor first touch by Alexandre Pato spared Chievo two minutes after the restart, while Ronaldinho had successive efforts blocked, one by a superb Sorrentino save.

Pellissier had another great chance to double his side's lead but his control let him down after a Thiago Silva slip let him though, with Nesta able to get back to clear.

Sorrentino made another good stop with 15 minutes left from Seedorf's snapshot inside the area but he was powerful to prevent Nesta levelling with his first goal in two-and-a-half years.

With nine minutes left, Andrea Pirlo's left-wing free-kick was headed back to him but his sweet cross was powered against the bar by Borriello, with Nesta on hand to tuck away the rebound.

Three minutes later, a super reverse pass from Pirlo released Mathieu Flamini who cut the ball back for substitute Filippo Inzaghi, but Sorrentino again came to the rescue as he saved with his legs.

On 90 minutes Uruguayan Granoche, a sub for the injured Erjon Bogdani, thought he had won it but could only howl in frustration as Dida pulled off a candidate for save of the season.

And within seconds Milan had netted their winner, a second for the unlikely goal hero Nesta who was left unmarked at the far post to ban only his 12 goal in a 16-year professional career.

Milan coach Leonardo was involved as his team mobbed Dida after the final whistle as Milan moved sixth following the win, with Chievo staying 11th.

Reda MAHER / Eurosport