A stunning 84th minute volley from Marco Di Vaio gave Italian champions Juventus a 1-1 draw at AC Milan and kept the pair neck and neck at the top of Serie A.

In a rematch of last season's all-Italian Champions League final, Milan, who won that final on penalties, had gone ahead in the 65th minute through Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson.

The draw leaves the pair level at the top on 20 points each, four ahead of Lazio who kept in touch with a 2-1 win at Udinese.

The clash of two teams with more league titles than the rest of Serie A combined was a much more passionate and entertaining affair than the goalless stalemate at Old Trafford in May.

While Milan will be disappointed to have seen victory slip from their grasp six minutes from the end, their rivals fully merited at least a point.

STRONG CHALLENGE

The opening 45 minutes, on a greasy San Siro surface, were niggly at times and after a strong challenge from Milan captain Paolo Maldini on Juve's Pavel Nedved there was a set-to with at least a dozen players involved from both sides.

But while the commitment remained after the break the quality of play improved with chances at both ends.

Five minutes after the restart Milan's Andriy Shevchenko had a goal ruled out for offside -- a tight decision that was disputed by his team mates who claimed the ball had arrived to the Ukrainian from Juve's Alessio Tacchinardi.

Shortly after Juve also came close to breaking the deadlock when Di Vaio struck the post with an excellent volley on the turn.

During a spell of good pressure from Juve, Milan's Brazilian keeper Dida then pulled off a fine save to keep out a David Trezeguet shot from a Pavel Nedved cross.

But it was Milan who got their noses in front when Andrea Pirlo dribbled into a crowded penalty area and pushed the ball to Tomasson who slotted home from close range.

Juve responded positively and once again it was Dida who foiled them, pulling off an outstanding save to keep out a Di Vaio header from another pinpoint Nedved cross.

But there was nothing even Dida could to do keep out Di Vaio's rocketing volley six minutes from the end as the Juve striker met Trezeguet's chest down with power and precision.

At Udine, Roberto Mancini's Lazio took the lead in the 18th minute when striker Bernardo Corradi outjumped home keeper Morgan De Sanctis to head home a Massimo Oddo cross.

But Udinese, who have made a promising start to the season, pulled level 11 minutes later with a superb volley from striker Vincenzo Iaquinta.

Lazio secured the win in the 33rd minute when Simone Inzaghi tapped home from close range after De Sanctis parried a shot from Dejan Stankovic.