AC Milan's disappointing start to the season has continued as they went down 2-1 to Udinese away from home in Serie A on Sunday.

The Rossoneri started the game the brighter of the two sides, with Giampaolo Pazzini and Philippe Mexes testing Udinese goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic inside the first seven minutes.

Riccardo Montolivo then tried his luck with a shot but failed to keep it on target, before Giampiero Pinzi volleyed over the Milan crossbar from the edge of the penalty box.

That sparked Udinese into life at Stadio Friuli, with Antono Di Natale having a succession of chances.

However, the Italian striker failed to put any of those chances home, as Mehdi Benatia forced Christian Abbiati into making a save with an attempt from six yards.

The hosts broke the deadlock with five minutes of normal time left before the half-time interval, and it was Mathias Ranegie who found the target for the Bianconeri.

The 28-year-old headed home Benatia's pass from close range as Abbiati and Mexes were left scrambling.

Milan restored parity nine minutes into the second half when Stephan El Shaarawy scored a screamer from 25 yards.

However, Udinese regained their advantage in the 66th minute from the penalty spot.

Christian Zapata's foul on Ranegie inside the Milan box saw the referee dismiss the defender and award the hosts a spot kick that Di Natale slotted home with ease.

Massimiliano Allegri's side, though, continued to pour themselves forward, with Pazzini forcing Brkic into making a brilliant save with an acrobatic effort in the 76th minute.

Yet all optimism flew out of the window in the 82nd minute for Milan when they were reduced to nine men after Kevin-Prince Boateng was dismissed for a second bookable offence.