ROME, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Brazilian centre back Thiago Silva scored for both teams on Sunday when AC Milan climbed to third in Serie A with a 2-1 win at troubled Lazio.

Silva nodded in his maiden Serie A goal before his compatriot Pato also used his head to make it 2-0 for Milan in the first half, but then unluckily deflected a Mauro Zarate shot into his own net in the 64th minute to set up a nervy climax.

The visitors hung on for a win that gives them 22 points from 12 games, taking them past Sampdoria, who lost 2-0 at Cagliari with 10 men.

Milan are two points behind second-placed Juventus, who won 5-2 at Atalanta on Saturday, and six adrift of champions Inter Milan, who entertain AS Roma at home in Sunday's late game (1945).

(Reporting by Paul Virgo; Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)