Antonio Nocerino turned out to be the unexpected hat-trick hero as AC Milan beat Parma at home on Wednesday to notch up their third consecutive Serie A victory.

Nocerino broke the deadlock at San Siro in the 30th minute. Zltan Ibrahimovic trapped a long ball and pulled it across the box for Nocerino, whose first touch was deflected, but the former Palermo midfielder was quickest to react and prodded in the loose ball.

Incredibly, Nocerino got another 120 seconds later! It was a sensational strike, as he chested down and volleyed a fierce left-foot finish into the near top corner from the edge of the box.

Valdes had a chance for Parma, but skimmed the bar with his sudden snapshot. Antonio Mirante was at full stretch to palm an Alberto Aquilani screamer off the line.

Ibrahimovic sprung the offside trap and drew Mirante out wide, but when skipping round the goalkeeper his shot was charged down by Gabriel Paletta.

Cassano should have scored when Ibra knocked back an Ignazio Abate assist, but FantAntonio tried to dribble past two defenders and eventually fired over under pressure.

Ibrahimovic made it 3-0 moments later. Cassano flicked on a long ball for the Swede, who shrugged off Rolf Feltscher to go clear in the box and pass it across the on-rushing goalkeeper.

Parma did get one back with their star player Sebastian Giovinco. Jonathan Biabiany's cross found him at the back post, where he nutmegged Abbiati to put the Ducali on the scoresheet.

Nocerino was the most unexpected hat-trick hero in the Milan squad, as he had only ever scored seven in his entire Serie A career up to date. In stoppages Cassano chipped a cross to the back post for Nocerino's cushioned header.