Dons earn final spot in dramatic fashion

Hibs fightback in vain after Jonny Hayes seals win with deflected shot

Adam Rooney scored after 13 seconds to send Aberdeen on their way to the William Hill Scottish Cup final – but only after a tremendous comeback from holders Hibernian.

Aberdeen went two ahead in the 24th minute thanks to a brilliant free-kick from Ryan Christie but they needed a late, heavily-deflected, Jonny Hayes strike to seal a 3-2 victory in a classic Hampden encounter.

Hibs, fresh from clinching the Ladbrokes Championship title, got back in the game thanks to an inspired firsthalf substitution. Replacement Grant Holt headed them back in it and then set up Dylan McGeouch’s equaliser on the hour mark.

It took a large slice of fortune to decide the tie in the 85th minute. Hayes turned away from Marvin Bartley and fired a long-range shot which initially looked harmless, but cannoned off Hibs defender Darren McGregor’s knee and spun inside the post as stranded goalkeeper Ofir Marciano looked on.

Hibs threw men forward and Marciano almost equalised deep into stoppage time, but opposite number Joe Lewis produced an acrobatic save from his header following a corner.

Aberdeen got off to their flying start despite Hibernian kicking off and winning possession back.

Dons players swarmed around John McGinn in the centre circle but Bartley won the ball back.

However, McGregor sold fellow centre-back Efe Ambrose short with a square pass and Rooney pounced before lifting the ball over the dive of Marciano.

Hibs struggled to get back their composure, and Aberdeen went two ahead after an ingenious free-kick.

Fraser Fyvie was booked for scything down Kenny McLean wide on the right after a one-two with Christie, who had kept his place in the team despite Niall McGinn being passed fit to start on the bench following a groin injury.

The on-loan Celtic player repaid manager Derek McInnes’ faith. He spotted an inviting gap and curled a leftfooted shot inside the near post with goalkeeper Marciano only able to help the ball in the net from behind the line.

Hibs head coach Neil Lennon had seen enough by the 34th minute and brought on striker Holt for midfielder Fyvie.

Two minutes later, Martin Boyle took the initiative with a positive run and delivered a back-post cross which Holt headed across goal and into the net.

Hibs maintained the pressure until half-time and the second half started in exciting fashion with both teams getting space to attack each other.

Aberdeen right-back Shay Logan fired just wide from long range before McInnes made a tactical switch in the 59th minute, bringing on Anthony O’Connor to form a three-man central defence.

It was breached inside 60 seconds. McGeouch ran at the Dons and collected a deft return pass from Holt, which took out Ash Taylor in the inside left channel, before drilling the ball home.

Lennon was soon forced into a change as McGeouch limped off for Andrew Shinnie, who lined up against his brother and former Inverness teammate Graeme.

McInnes reverted to a flat back four with the introduction of McGinn for Mark Reynolds after 69 minutes.

The tie was evenly balanced and appeared to be heading for extra-time until Hayes’ deflected strike.

Aberdeen survived some late pressure to reach their second final of the season, where they will face Celtic.

Picture: SNS. Jonny Hayes looks on as his shot is deflected to give Aberdeen a late winner and earn them a cup final place.

Match winner Jonny Hayes applauds the travelling fans who made the journey to Hampden.