Midfielder Massimo Ambrosini scored the winner for the European champions 15 minutes from time, stooping low at the back post to head home Clarence Seedorf's right-wing cross.

Defeat was cruel on Lazio who dominated for long periods without finding the final touch to some impressive approach play, but they still managed to hold on to fourth place thanks to slip-ups from the teams directly below them and remain in the hunt for a Champions

League place next season.

Milan, who did little more than they had to in the capital, have 58 points from 23 matches played, five more than second-placed Roma, comfortable winners at Parma, and six more than reigning champions Juventus, who defeated Ancona in Turin.

Roma dented Parma's hopes of clinching a Champions League place next season with an impressive 4-1 victory in snowy Emilia Romagna, while three first-half goals gave Juventus an easy three points against the bottom club.

Inter Milan's Champions League aspirations suffered a setback after losing 3-1 to Brescia at the San Siro where angry home fans vented their anger at the team's performance by pelting the Inter players with missiles.

A first-half penalty from Uruguayan striker Ernesto Chevanton gave Lecce a 1-0 win over Modena and

saw the spirited Puglians pull further clear of the relegation zone, while Sampdoria kept up their push for a UEFA Cup place by defeating Chievo by the same scoreline in Genoa, where Aimo Diana grabbed the winner shortly after half-time.

In the day's other action, Perugia won for only the second time this season with a 4-2 victory at home to Bologna as they try to retain their Serie A status.

Juventus piled further misery on winless Ancona with a resounding victory at the Delle Alpi stadium.

Argentine-born Mauro Camo-ranesi put Juve in front in the seventh minute with an angled shot before Fabrizio Miccoli swept home Marco Di Vaio's right-wing cross.

Juve put the game beyond doubt in first-half stoppage-time when Alessandro Del Piero beat Sergio Marco from close range.

On Saturday, Empoli gave themselves renewed hope of avoiding the drop with a 2-0 home win over Udinese at the Carlo Castellani stadium.

Empoli remain third from bottom, two points behind Siena and Reggina, who played out a goalless draw the same day.