Brave Saints suffer penalty heartbreak

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.

With the pursuit of four trophies this season finally beginning to take its toll, the last thing Rangers needed was the loss of two players in the opening 20 minutes at Hampden.

Chris Burke was first leave the pitch on a stretcher after just eight minutes after being caught in the ankle by a crunching challenge from Kevin Rutkiewicz and was replaced by Thomas Buffel.

There was further concern when Steven Naismith limped off the park after being stamped on by Martin Hardie. He was able to return to the action but, like Burke, left on a stretcher seconds later after appearing to damage his knee and was replaced by Steven Davis.

Saints substitute 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 Daniel 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 Alan 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 Steven Milne, and Main denying Brahim Hemdani, before the Rangers keeper blocked from Jody Morris to finally secure a place in the Scottish Cup final.