The Islanders, seeking back-to-back league wins for the first time since March, started confidently and saw Nicolas Viola hook an acrobatic effort over the crossbar early on. At the other end, Rafael Leão sent a swinging effort from outside the penalty area straight at the goalkeeper, while Theo Hernandez's strike narrowly went wide as the hosts began to turn the screw.
Christian Pulisic was next to try, although his low drive from 25 yards resulted in a fairly simple save for Elia Caprile, who also thwarted Tijjani Reijnders.
It seemed only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken, but the visitors gave it their all, with Mattia Felici forcing the half stop from Mike Maignan, who leapt high to the right to tip in a quick effort. that was on the way to the top corner around the post.
However, Milan still had the majority of the chances and were inches away from taking a 1-0 lead two minutes into the second half when Pulisic's fierce effort from distance rattled the crossbar.
Alvaro Morata then hooked into the side netting from an almost impossible angle, but the evergreen striker could make no mistake with his next attempt. He slid from the six-yard box into an empty net after Pulisic's volley deflected off the post.
A resilient Cagliari hit back immediately, equalizing within four minutes through a low, angular strike from Nadir Zortea that Maignan should have saved but it slipped under his swinging body.
The Rossoneri were undeterred, however, as Caprile made some nice stops from Youssouf Fofana and Pulisic before Hernandez was also denied.
Leao then looked destined to make it 2-1 when he avoided the offside trap and made a through ball, only for the goalkeeper to make another extended save.
Ultimately, Milan's pressure was not rewarded, with Caprile making another great stop from Hernández's blistering free-kick deep into stoppage time.
It means the home side have now won just one of their last five league matches, while Davide Nicola's side, who had one win in their previous 39 matches this century, remain in the relegation zone despite gaining a valuable point has achieved. .
Flashscore Man of the Match: Elia Caprile (Cagliari)
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