League Cup SF: Dungannon Swifts 2-1 Crusaders

Dungannon Swifts came from behind to beat Crusaders 2-1 in extra time in the League Cup semi-final.

It's the first time the Swifts have made it to the final, while it was a first defeat in 24 games for Crusaders.

Colin Coates put the visitors ahead before Peter McMahon levelled things, setting the stage for Ryan Harpur to score a winning penalty in the 104th minute.

The match began slowly, with home goalkeeper Stuart Addis getting across one-handed to tip away an angled shot from Paul Heatley in the first real opening of the game.

Midway through the first half, Crusaders saw a Coates header cleared off the line, before Paul Heatley rattled the bar with a dipping 25-yard volley.

Dungannon's best chances came on the break, and Kris Lowe went close with an effort driven across the face of goal on the half hour mark.

Crusaders were generally the better side in the opening period, but a tame Jordan Owens header 5 minutes from the interval was their last real chance of the first 45 minutes.

It came as no surprise when Crusaders took the lead just 4 minutes into the 2nd half. Heatley whipped in a free kick from the left, and captain Colin Coates flicked a header beyond Addis.

Terrible conditions prevented either side from finding much fluidity, and the home side were restricted to an ambitious effort from range by Ryan Mayse with 10 minutes to play.

It looked to be heading towards a Crusaders victory until the 85th minute when Peter McMahon raced in behind the defence and unleashed a stunning volley to level things for the Swifts.

Into extra time it was the visitors who had the first real chance, as Billy Joe Burns forced Addis into a smart save in the 96th minute.

With 13 minutes of the first half played, the home side were awarded a penalty as Kris Lowe was barged over in the box. Captain Ryan Harpur stepped up to confidently send Sean O'Neill the wrong way and put Dungannon into a 2-1 lead which was enough to claim the win.

Ballymena will host Cliftonville next week in the other semi final fixture.