Published on 12:00 AM, December 05, 2016

Lapadula rescues Milan

AC Milan's Gianluca Lapadula celebrates after scoring the late goal that helped them beat Crotone 2-1 in their Serie A match at the San Siro Stadium in Milan on December 4. Photo: Reuters

AC Milan needed a late goal from Gianluca Lapadula to beat bottom club Crotone 2-1 in Serie A on Sunday after M'Baye Niang had earlier missed a penalty.

Crotone have won only one match out of 15 in their debut season in Serie A but took a lead when Diego Falcinelli tapped in in the 26th minute.

Milan’s Mario Pasalic headed the equaliser four minutes before the break and his side were awarded a penalty early in the second half.

Niang won an argument with Lapadula over who should take it, only for Alex Cordaz to save his shot.

Lapadula won the game when he fired the ball in from 12 metres after Keisuke Honda's free kick fell to him in the box in the 86th minute and was booked for his exuberant celebration.

The win kept Milan four points behind leaders Juventus.