Monza earned their historic first ever Serie A point thanks to a splendid Stefano Sensi free kick, but super-sub Joan Gonzalez got Lecce back on level terms.
This was already a relegation dogfight between two teams promoted last summer, as while the Salentini had two points earned against Empoli and Napoli, Monza had lost all five games and coach Giovanni Stroppa was feeling the pressure already.
Gabriel Strefezza, Mert Cetin, Dermaku and Voelkerling Persson were still out for the hosts, while Andrea Ranocchia and Marco D’Alessandro didn’t make the trip. Andrea Petagna was reportedly sent to the stands following a row with the Monza boss.
Lecce had a huge chance early on, a glancing Federico Baschirotto header from a corner flashing inches past the far post, then Lameck Banda fired wide on the counter when he really should’ve rolled across for Assan Ceesay.
Banda flashed in a cross for Federico Di Francesco, who just failed to get the final touch from six yards when anticipating the goalkeeper.
Instead, Monza opened the scoring at the Stadio Via del Mare with a splendid Stefano Sensi free kick, curled around the wall and into the far post.
Lecce equalised straight after the restart with their substitute, Joan Gonzalez, who was ready to turn in after Michele Di Gregorio got his hand to the Ceesay pull-back.
Penalty appeals were waved away for a potential Salvatore Molina handling offence on a set play.
Lecce pushed to the end with two huge opportunities in stoppages, but Di Gregorio performed heroics on the Gonzalez header from a corner and the Lorenzo Colombo strike.
Lecce 1-1 Monza
Sensi 35 (M), Gonzalez 48 (L)