Milan dent Roma hopes

Ten-man AC Milan handed Roma their first home draw of the season to leave Rudi Garcia's title challengers three points adrift of leaders Juventus on Saturday.

Roma had recently capitalised on two consecutive draws by defending champions Juve to reduce their deficit to a point.

But in their final game of the year, the Giallorossi -- denied a first-half penalty after a clear handball by Nigel De Jong -- ultimately failed to break down a well-drilled Milan side in a thrilling Stadio Olimpico goalless stalemate.

Roma remain second, three points adrift of Juve after their 3-1 win at Cagliari on Thursday.

Milan underlined their intentions from the outset of a balanced first half at the Stadio Olimpico and, but for Pablo Armero's sending-off in the 70th minute for a handling offence, Milan might have snatched a win.

Seconds after kick-off Keisuke Honda fired a speculative shot from 25 metres to force Morgan De Sanctis into a double save at his near post after Andrea Poli rushed in to fire the rebound from a tight angle.

Gervinho slalomed his way into the Milan area and skipped around Phillipe Mexes to fire a low shot which Lopez did well to block.

Roma were denied what looked like a stonewall penalty soon after when a corner whipped in from the left was deflected by the forearm of Nigel De Jong.

Milan started in more positive fashion after the restart but Giacomo Bonaventura's low drive was blocked by De Sanctis.

Roma were creating little, but the game changed in their favour in the space of three second-half minutes.

Florenzi made way for Adem Ljajic, Roma's top scorer with six goals this season, and shortly after Milan were reduced to 10 men when Armero earned a second yellow card for a handball incident while tackling Maicon.

Inzaghi replaced Honda with Brazilian defender Alex, while De Rossi came off in place of Mattia Destro as Garcia boosted Roma's attack. The hosts ultimately failed to capitalise.

Destro had claims for a penalty waved away after being wrestled to the ground by Mexes, who minutes later had a violent reaction to the striker after he arrived late to meet a Gervinho through ball and almost striking Lopez's head.

With the clock ticking down, Gervinho gave the hosts some late hope with a mazy run into the Milan area but after a one-two with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa the Ivorian's shot was blocked by an alert Lopez as he tumbled to the ground under a challenge.