Napoli in six-goal thriller, Balotelli saves Milan

 Two goals in three minutes from Goran Pandev were not enough to secure victory as Napoli threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 3-3 at home to Udinese in an end-to-end Serie A thriller on Saturday.

In the day's other game a stunning late free kick by Mario Balotelli, his second goal of the match, helped AC Milan snatch a 2-2 draw at Livorno.

Rafael Benitez's Napoli stay third with 32 points from 15 games, two points behind AS Roma and eight adrift of leaders Juventus who beat Bologna 2-0 on Friday.

Pandev tapped in the opening goal in the 38th minute after showing delicate control.

He quickly made it 2-0 when Gonzalo Higuain charged to the byline and pulled the ball back for Macedonian forward Pandev who spun well before guiding in his sixth league goal of the season.

Napoli defender Federico Fernandez scored an embarrassing own goal seconds before halftime when he clipped in a tame Thomas Heurtaux header.

Bruno Fernandes then deservedly drew Udinese level with a dipping shot that confused Napoli keeper Rafael Cabral with 21 minutes left.

Napoli went back in front when Blerim Dzemaili tapped in the rebound following a curling effort from Higuain.

Udinese refused to give up and equalised again with 10 minutes to go when Dusan Basta scored after a goalmouth scramble.

The visitors then almost snatched victory when Brazilian Maicosuel burst through on goal, only for Christian Maggio to thwart him with a superb sliding tackle.

The challenge enraged Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin who was sent off for protesting.

Eighth-placed Milan were rescued at Livorno by Balotelli who thumped a spectacular shot past keeper Francesco Bardi from 30 metres with six minutes left.

His leveller came after two sucker punches from Luca Siligardi and Paulinho had turned the game in the home team's favour following the former Manchester City forward's seventh-minute opener.

Balotelli almost clinched a barely deserved win for Milan when he hit the bar with a looping effort two minutes from the end.

Second-placed Roma host flamboyant Fiorentina in one of seven fixtures on Sunday.