(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 18 - AC Milan missed the chance to go top of Serie A on Monday when a blunder by the referee meant they were denied a late winner and ended up losing 2-1 to Spezia at San Siro.
With the scored tied at 1-1, Junior Messias had the ball in the net for Milan, but the referee disallowed the goal as just before he had blown up for a foul and failed to let play continue.
Rocked by the injustice, Milan then allowed the visitors to go down the other end and claim victory themselves thanks to a goal by Emmanuel Gyasi .
Milan Coach Stefano Pioli said the referee apologized for the mistake after the game.
Milan are second in Serie A with 48 points from 22 games, two points behind champions Inter, who have a game in hand. (ANSA).
Soccer: Ref blunder denies Milan the top spot
Pioli says official apologised for failing to play on