St Johnstone 1 - 1 Rangers AET (Rangers win 4-3 on penalties)

Published on Saturday 19 April 2008 10:25

GOALKEEPER Neil Alexander was the hero as Rangers booked their place in the Scottish Cup final following a tense penalty-shoot out against a battling St Johnstone side.

Alexander – between the sticks for the injured Allan McGregor – saved spot-kicks from both Steven Milne and Jody Morris after Nacho Novo had cancelled out Daniel McBreen's opener in extra-time.Rangers will now face another First Division side – Queen of the South - here at Hampden in the showcase on May 24.

Substitute Daniel McBreen finally broke the deadlock with 94 minutes on the clock. Paul Sheerin provided a teasing cross from the left and McBreen connected in plenty of space to dispatch a downward header past Alexander.

Rangers were back on level terms eight minutes later when Cousin was tripped in the box by Gary Irvine and referee Dougie McDonald immediately pointed to the spot.

Novo did the honours from 12 yards and finally breached Main's goal with a finely struck penalty which nestled in the keeper's right-hand corner.

The epic last four clash was eventually decided by a shoot-out, with Alexander saving a penalty from Milne, and Main denying Brahim Hemdani, before the Rangers keeper blocked from Jody Morris to finally secure a place in the Scottish Cup final.