Third-tier Alessandria shocks Spezia to make Coppa Italia semifinals

Milan - A dramatic late brace from Riccardo Bocalon kept Alessandria's Coppa Italia dream alive on Monday after a 2-1 win over Spezia set up a semifinal tie with AC Milan.

Milan became the first team into the last four of the competition with a 2-1 win over Serie A struggler Carpi last week.

Alessendria, which plays in Italy's third division, had knocked out Serie A sides Palermo and Genoa to set up a quarterfinal date with Spezia, which had ended Roma's run.

Serie B outfit Spezia looked to be on its way to the semis after holding on to the lead from a 20th-minute penalty by former Napoli and Torino forward Emanuele Calaio.

But the Ligurians were stunned in a nine-minute spell at the end of the encounter when Bocalon came off the bench to level seven minutes from the finish when he sprung the offside trap to beat Leandro Chichizol.

In the second minute of added-on time, Bocalon swept home a cross to secure a dramatic win.

Serie A leader Napoli hosts Inter Milan on Tuesday looking to secure a last-four spot against either title holder Juventus or Lazio. They will play in Rome on Wednesday.