Brazilian Pato grabbed the winner in the 66th minute to prove that Milan can still maintain their push for a Champions League spot despite the absence of his compatriot and star playmaker Kaka.

Having lost their past two games on the trot, including an embarrassing defeat at home to Sampdoria midweek, Milan were desperate to make up the four-point gap on fourth-placed Fiorentina.

Milan's recent poor form and Kaka's thigh injury - sustained during Wednesday's demoralising defeat - saw coach Carlo Ancelotti ring out the changes.

Alberto Paloschi was dropped to the bench in favour of a front two of Pato and Alberto Gilardino with Clarence Seedorf just behind them.

Torino were desperate to avoid their third straight defeat as they were just five points clear of the relegation zone going into the game.

They almost got off to the perfect start as Vincenzo Grella picked out Roberto Stellone with a long cross, but Milan goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac anticipated well and made the save.

Stellone went even closer in the ninth minute as his shot just brushed the wrong side of the net.

Milan's first real opportunity came in the 14th minute as Toro goalkeeper Alberto Maria Fontana had to dive smartly to save Andrea Pirlo's deflected free-kick.

Fontana also had to react quickly to punch away another free-kick by Pirlo 10 minutes later.

Pato could have put the Rossoneri ahead on the half-hour mark as the youngster controlled the ball well, but lobbed his effort just over the bar.

Toro were not playing like a relegation-threatened side and Grella should have given the Granata the lead on 34 minutes as Kalac's punched clearance fell to him but his shot was wide.

Stellone should have sent Toro in at the break ahead but Gennaro Gattuso got his body in between the Torino striker and the goal and deflected his shot safely away.

Toro came out after the break in much the same way they had ended the first half and should have been ahead five minutes after the restart but Kakha Kaladze's perfectly-timed tackle stole the ball off Alessandro Rosina just as he was about to let fly.

But Milan continued to look dangerous and it was only a stunning save by Fontana that somehow kept out a Marco Di Loreto effort which had taken everyone by surprise in the 55th minute.

Seedorf should have put the visitors ahead on the hour mark but he hit the bar from very close range.

However, the Holland star made up for his miss six minutes later when he set up Milan's goal.

Seedorf picked out Gilardino, who swerved around Fontana before unleashing a shot which seemed destined for the back of the net even if Pato had not got his foot to it to make sure.

Seedorf came close to doubling his side's lead four minutes later but his quick shot landed just wide.

Pato almost grabbed a stunning second on 84 minutes as he dribbled his way past most of the Torino team but Fontana managed to stop him at the second time of asking.

Pirlo could have sealed the Rossoneri's win in the last minute of normal time, but his shot was too weak and Fontana saved it at full stretch.