AC Milan's lead at the top of Serie A was cut to six points on Sunday when they were held to a goalless draw at Udinese while their rivals AS Roma beat Empoli 3-0.

Milan have 76 points and Roma 70 with three games remaining including next week's clash between the two sides at the San Siro. Victory for Milan in that game would secure their 17th 'scudetto'.

Two goals from Francesco Totti and a John Carew strike secured Roma's win in Palermo, where they were forced to play after being banned for two matches from their Olympic stadium.

Carew and Empoli defender Jorge Vargas were both sent off in the 68th minute.

Third-placed Juventus suffered a shock 4-3 loss at home to Lecce and Inter Milan and Lazio, both fighting for the fourth Champions League qualification slot, drew 0-0 at the San Siro.

Milan created few chances in a nervy match with both their best efforts coming from Brazilian Kaka.

After the break the 22-year-old provided one of the few moments of quality in a poor game when he left two Udinese players standing with a stunning turn before bursting goalwards and firing a low shot just wide.

Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson, on as a substitute, almost grabbed a late winner for Milan, poking wide in injury time.

While Carlo Ancelotti's side know they can still wrap up the title next week, Roma will go to the San Siro in the knowledge that a win for them will cut Milan's lead back to three points ahead of the final two matches.

TOTTI LOB

Roma had little trouble in dealing with lowly Empoli after Totti put them ahead with a header just before the break.

Carew doubled Roma's lead in the 65th minute taking advantage of a slip by Empoli defender Stefano Lucchini to turn and shoot into the roof of the net moments after coming on as a sub.

Totti wrapped up the win with his 20th goal of the season and one of his best, a brilliant lob, after he had latched on to a ball from Marco Delvecchio.

Juve are out of the title race and they are now almost certain to have to enter the qualifying round of the Champions League after their defeat.

French striker David Trezeguet put Juve on their way with a close range strike in the third minute but then Lecce ripped open the much criticised home defence three times before the break, with two from Ivory Coast striker Cedric Konan.

Lecce's Uruguayan forward Ernesto Chevanton then made it 4-1 with his 17th strike of the season before Juve fought back with goals from Enzo Maresca and Alessandro Del Piero.