AC Milan's hopes of finishing in the top four of Serie A were dealt a serious blow on Thursday when they lost 2-1 at Bologna after the hosts fought back from a goal down.

Milan are eighth on 41 points, eight behind fourth-placed Juventus with 12 rounds of matches remaining. Bologna are sixth on 44 points. The top four qualify for next season's Champions League.

It was the first time in almost 23 years that Bologna had won a Serie A home game against Milan, a match originally scheduled for October but cancelled due to flooding.

Milan's season was on the brink of unravelling after their Champions League exit and two successive Serie A defeats.

Milan took the lead two minutes before half-time when Rafael Leão latched onto a flick-on, beat his marker and shot past Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski.

Bologna levelled three minutes after the restart when a free-kick into the box was headed on to Santiago Castro, who scored from close range.

Milan protested that the ball had bounced off the arm of Bologna's Giovanni Fabbian before reaching Castro, but VAR allowed the goal to stand.

Yunus Musah almost put Milan ahead again just after the hour mark, but Skorupski made a crucial save.

Bologna began to take control of the game as Milan's defence seemed to lose concentration and Nicolo Casale headed against the post from a corner before Nicolò Cambiaghi tipped the rebound over the bar.

The turnaround was complete nine minutes from time when Nicolo Cambiaghi got to the by-line and whipped in a cross that Dan Ndoye tapped into the net at full stretch.