Kilmarnock 1 Aberdeen 1 (1-1 AET) (1-3 pens)

Kilmarnock are out of this season’s Premier Sports Cup.

Neil McCann’s side fell at the final hurdle as Aberdeen progressed to the semi-finals on penalties after a hard-fought encounter at BBSP Stadium Rugby Park.

It was Max Stryjek who was called into action inside the opening five minutes to keep the score goalless, as the visitors started on the frontfoot. The Polish keeper was at full stretch to deny Aberdeen a goal via a powerful Nisbet header.

However, Killie bit back and showed their intent in the cup tie with two decent opportunities through Joe Hugill and Djenairo Daniel inside the box. Erik Ring then tested Muller down low to his left after cutting in on his right foot, as he aimed his shot towards the far bottom corner. Greg Kiltie was played through on goal around 20 minutes into the game, but he couldn’t get enough power on the shot to trouble Muller.

As the game became a bit open, Cathal McCarthy showed great reading of the game, and pace in one-on-one situations with both Nisbet and Ntelo as the Dons looked to counter.

Tom Lowery unleashed a wicked strike from distance after receiving the ball from a cleared corner on the edge of the box. He chested the ball down before sending a half-volley goal-bound, as Muller palmed it wide.

Killie had a strong claim for a penalty instantly waved away by Don Robertson as Tshibola played Hugill in-behind Happe his sheer pace putting fear into the defender as his arm looked to impede the No.9 from reaching the ball inside the box. VAR saw no issue with the incident.

After what was a tightly contested first-half, the second started in similar style. The first opportunity fell to Michael Schjønning-Larsen at a difficult angle inside the box from a Kiltie free kick, but his shot sailed over the bar.

However, on 52 minutes Aberdeen would take the lead. Ronan sent a dangerous delivery towards the back post, and his header looped into the net over Stryjek, as he placed the ball back towards the direction is came from.

On 57 minutes, Happe was sent off for Aberdeen after picking up a second booking. Hugill nipped in ahead of the defender to draw in a blatant foul.

And straight from that situation, Killie capitalised. Kiltie’s wonderful cross from the set piece was met by substitute Tyreece John-Jules with a glancing header for 1-1, as the hosts immediately took the ascendency in the match despite an early second-half setback.

Killie pushed hard for a winner, with Schjønning-Larsen and John-Jules both forcing Muller into saves. However, it was an additional 30 minutes that beckoned in Ayrshire in front of the TV cameras.

McCarthy put in a terrific last-ditch bloc to stop Cadden from having a clean shot on goal on 97 minutes. A mistake from the young man then led to Stryjek having to pull off an excellent double save to prevent a Dons sucker-punch. The No.1 would later pull off another important save to halt Olusanya in a dangerous area on the counter.

A combination of resolute defending and goalkeeping then stopped the Dons from taking the led inside the final few minutes.

Onto penalties, and aside from Hugill’s first, Killie missed the remainder of the spot kicks. Aberdeen progressed to the semi-finals.

Attendance: 6,551

Team: Stryjek, Brandon (Meier, 79’), McCarthy, Ring (McKenzie, 69’), Hugill, Kiltie (Cleșcenco, 85’), Stanger, Lowery (O’Hara, 111’), Schjønning-Larsen, Daniels (John-Jules, 45’), Tshibola.

Unused subs: Ferrie, Kamson-Kamara, Owen, Rice.

Booked: Brandon, Tshibola, McCarthy, Stanger.