AC Milan failed to leapfrog Inter Milan atop the Serie A standings when they were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Napoli on Sunday, dpa reported.
Inter, who also drew 1-1 the previous day at Palermo, retained a one-point lead over Milan with nine games left.
The Milan crowd at the Giuseppe Meazza saw the Devils fall behind to an unfortunate goal, but cheered veteran Filippo Inzaghi's equalizer that settled the score 26 minutes into the first half.
The Devils' attack-geared line-up provided early massive pressure through Brazilian Ronaldinho and Inzaghi, while young Brazilian star Pato returned from injury only to leave the pitch limping with the guests one up.
Speed was the best weapon of the Naples hosts, who found a 13th-minute goal as goalkeeper Christian Abbiati collided with his defender Massimo Oddo and allowed Argentine Hugo Campagnaro an easy flick into the empty goal.
Milan's prompt reaction favoured swift counter attacks from Napoli and Ezequiel Lavezzi forced a save from Abbiati with an overhead volley before Inzaghi nodded home off a taut cross from Ronaldinho.
The Brazilian playmaker then tried a drive on 37 minutes that was too central to worry Morgan De Sanctis and on 59 minutes fed Inzaghi for a close-range flick blocked by the goalkeeper.
More trouble for De Sanctis had come earlier as Clarence Seedorf fired wide with Inzaghi unable to deflect the Dutchman's effort, while Napoli's Fabio Quagliarella aimed a high header on 62 minutes and had a flick blocked 10 minutes later.
De Sanctis bravely blocked a close-range drive from Mancini, who came on for compatriot Pato, and had some trouble with one minute left to parry a nasty free kick from Andrea Pirlo.
Elsewhere, Bari and Parma drew 1-1, Chievo and Catania also played out a 1-1 draw while troubled Lazio partly got themselves out of trouble through a 2-0 win at Cagliari.
Siena left the bottom as they won 1-0 over Bologna, with Livorno now last after a 3-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Atalanta, now lying second-last next to Siena.
Champions League berth contenders Sampdoria and Juventus were set to meet late Sunday. On Saturday, third-placed Roma beat Udinese 4-2 and moved within four points of Inter and Fiorentina crushed Genoa 3-0.