AC MILAN rung the changes and made hard work of reaching the Italian Cup quarter-finals, beating Novara 2-1 after extra-time at the San Siro on Wednesday night.

    Teenager Stephan El Shaarawy opened the scoring midway through the first half but Ivan Radovanovic equalized two minutes from time.

    In the extra period Brazilian pair Robinho and Alexandre Pato combined for the latter to score the winner and secure a clash with Lazio in the next round.

    Coach Massimiliano Allegri rested star performers such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and was relieved to have made it through.

    Pato seemed keen to make an impact but he was well off target with a pair of chances, a shot from an angle and a free-kick from a long way out.

    But moments later substitute Robinho brilliantly dinked the ball past the defense and Pato chipped Fontana before volleying home.

    Milan finished with 10 men and under the cosh as Pato limped off injured. (SD-Agencies)