Kilmarnock 3-3 St Mirren (aet 4-5 pens): St Mirren through to semi-finals

St Mirren beat Kilmarnock 5-4 on penalties following a six-goal thriller to reach their first Scottish Cup semi-final in 12 years.

Ilkay Durmus netted a calamitous opener for the visitors but Zeno Ibsen Rossi and Greg Kiltie turned the tie.

Joe Shaughnessy forced extra time before controversial spot-kicks, scored by Ross Millen and St Mirren's Jamie McGrath, sent the game to a shootout.

Jim Goodwin's side will take on League Cup winners on 8 or 9 May, with Dundee United taking on Hibernian in the other semi-final.

• Reaction & as it happened
• Semi-final draw: Hibs face United, St Johnstone meet St Mirren

George Oakley and Kiltie were off target for the hosts, who were without in-form Kyle Lafferty, before they fell behind.

Durmus was released on the right from a free-kick and his cross went through Colin Doyle's grasp into the net.

The ever reliable Chris Burke produced a superb corner delivery for Kilmarnock's leveller, Ibsen Rossi powering the ball home.

Oakley was the architect of Kilmarnock's second, bustling down the right and squaring for Kiltie to convert.

Kilmarnock could have put themselves out of sight with Kiltie testing Alnwick then crossing for Oakley to turn over.

McGrath had curled an effort wide and it was his free-kick that led to St Mirren's equaliser, the inswinging delivery from the left expertly helped on by Shaughnessy.

And substitute Collin Quaner could have won it for Jim Goodwin's side in regulation time, his shot well saved by Doyle.

Extra time ensued and Kilmarnock had used all their substitutes by the time Oakley's replacement Nicke Kabamba picked up a knock after shooting wide, leaving them with 10 men.

And there was more drama when Brandon Haunstrup chased Alan Power's pass and referee Don Robertson judged McAllister's challenge to be illegal. Millen fired right down the middle from 12 yards.

But there was another twist in the tale as Jake Doyle-Hayes was felled by Doyle - a decision that incensed Kilmarnock boss Tommy Wright - and McGrath stroked in the game's sixth goal.

Doyle partially redeemed himself by turning Shaughnessy's header over in the 120th minute.

McKenzie was the only player not to score in the shootout, with McAllister having the last laugh in the third quarter-final settled by penalties.

Man of the match - Greg Kiltie

Kiltie was the best player over 90 minutes, scoring one and unfortunate not to add to his tally.

What did we learn?

With Celtic or Rangers already out, both sides knew this season presented a real opportunity to win the tournament.

And for 1987 winners St Mirren, a semi-final place offers another chance at glory after losing to Livingston in the last four of the League Cup and missing out on a Premiership top-six place.

Lafferty's absence did not hinder Kilmarnock quite as much as expected, and ultimately it was defensive lapses that cost them.

Top-flight survival remains their priority, with Wright's team two points above the relegation zone with three games left.

What did they say?

Kilmarnock manager Tommy Wright: "We should've won the game, there's no doubt. It's not a penalty, never a penalty - Doyle gets the ball.

"To score three goals and lose is really disappointed for the players because they gave everything. Their keeper had to make more saves than ours. But that's cup football."

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin: "We were all going through the ringer tonight. Some of the goals we conceded were shocking.

"Great credit to the players for their character and willingness to go right to the end. We're there, that's all that matters. St Johnstone might be favourites for the cup. It'll be a good game and we look forward to it."

What's next?

Kilmarnock visit Motherwell in the Premiership on Saturday (15:00 BST) while St Mirren are at home to bottom side Hamilton Academical (15:00).