But it was not the ideal start after the visitors took an early lead courtesy of Clarence Seedorf, before hitting back through Gionatha Spinesi to earn a point that keeps them two points of the relegation places with two games remaining.

The Sicilian club's Angelo Massimino stadium was shut on February 2 after a police officer was killed during a riot at their match against Palermo, which forced the home team to play their matches on neutral turf ever since, but

Though the team are still not allowed to play their home games at their own ground, the Lega Calcio decided on appeal to let supporters into Bologna's Stadio Renato dall'Ara to see the match.

And it looked bleak for the hosts, who have just one win in their last 15 outings, as they were dominated early on.

In the third minute, Filippo Inzaghi almost opened the scoring with his deft header which sailed inches wide after latching on to a Marek Jankulovski left-wing cross.

A minute later Seedorf played in Inzaghi, who was this time on target but failed to beat Armando Pantanelli with his weak shot.

However, in the seventh minute the constant pressure eventually gave as Ricardo Kaka's accurate pass from the left was driven over the line by the darting run of Seedorf.

Seven minutes later the hosts created their first opening from a corner-kick, Mariano Izco's delivery met by the head of Gennaro Sardo, but the ball just skimmed over Nelson Dida's post.

Juan Manuel Vargas then delivered a near perfect 20-yard free-kick, which was tipped over by Dida as the home team came closer.

At the other end, Andrea Pirlo returned the compliment with a 30-yard attempt that was deflected wide at the last second by Pantanelli.

The home custodian was again on hand to avert a dangerous move from Kaka and Inzaghi, when he charged out to take control on the edge of his area, before Seedorf's close-range shot was touch too high as Milan again poured forward on the stroke of half time.

After the break, a well curled free-kick was too tame for Pantanelli and Inzaghi had two goals ruled out for off-side by the referee before Catania were handed a major lifeline.

And they took that opportunity in the 63rd minute when a darting run saw Spinesi cut into the penalty area from the left side before lobbing the ball beyond Dida from six yards to earn the equaliser.

They could have won the game in the 87th minute when Fausto Rossini played in Fabio Caserta, whose powerful diagonal shot from eight yards was excellently kept out by Dida as Milan held out for a point.