MILAN, Italy (AFP)—AC Milan survived late penalty drama to scrape a 1-1 home draw with Genoa on Thursday, a result which allowed local rivals Inter Milan to establish a three-point lead at the top of Serie A.

Nicolae Stanciu ballooned a golden chance to snatch a shock win from the spot for Genoa deep in stoppage time of a thrilling encounter at the San Siro in which Milan laid seige to the opposition goal.

Rafael Leao gave Milan a point with his powerful header in the second minute of added time, breaking Genoa’s long resistance after the away side took the lead through Lorenzo Colombo just before the half-hour mark.

But moments later Davide Bartesaghi clattered into Mikael Ellertsson, leaving Stanciu with the task of beating France goalkeeper Mike Maignan and taking a shock three points.

Instead Stanciu smashed his effort over the bar and second-placed Milan extended their unbeaten league run to 17 matches, although Inter are further away after beating Parma 2-0 on Wednesday.

Milan travel to Fiorentina on Sunday before taking on high-flying Como — their game in hand due to their participation in the Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia — this time next week.

“What we need to learn is that when you score in the last minute you still have four minutes to win the game against a team which has suffered a psychological blow,” said Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri to DAZN.

“We should have created a couple of opportunities without exposing ourselves to a counter-attack which almost cost us the match.”

Stanciu’s last-gasp error left Genoa one place and three points above the relegation zone with next two matches against Cagliari and Parma, two teams who are also fighting against the drop.

It was especially painful after Daniele De Rossi’s team held off an attacking onslaught from Milan in the second half, with Christian Pulisic being denied an earlier leveller for handball and nearly rattling home a stunning volley.

“The draw means a lot for us, we came into this game after four performances that were not positive, but today we were really good,” said Colombo, who in on loan at Genoa from his boyhood club Milan.

“We showed that we can have a say, that we have character, and we came very close to winning. Let’s say that the glass is half-full.”

Jamie Vardy’s goal and assist wasn’t enough for Cremonese who threw away a two-goal lead at half-time to draw 2-2 with Cagliari.

Former England striker Vardy, who set up Dennis Johnsen’s early opener, took his Italian tally to five in the 29th minute when he forced a low drive under Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile.

But Michel Adopo halved the deficit for Cagliari shortly after the break before teenage academy product Yael Trepy snatched a point with two minutes remaining by brilliantly firing home his first Serie A goal.

Promoted Cremonese haven’t won in five matches but are nine points above the relegation zone in 13th place.