Livi's Jamie McAllister celebrates victory with Roddy McKenzie

The clash remained deadlocked until Fernando Pasquinelli was brought down in the Dundee box.

Derek Lilley converted from the spot to send Livi into their first ever major cup final.

It was a massive boost for the club who were officially forced into administration hours before the match.

Livi in administration

There were opportunities for both sides to take the lead in the opening minutes.

Livingston tried to put Dundee under pressure when Burton O'Brien flighted a cross into the path of Jamie McAllister but he failed to connect with the header and the chance was lost.

Dundee were unfortunate not to take the lead after only three minutes when Garry Brady played a great ball through to Nacho Novo only for his point-blank shot to be held by goalkeeper Roddy McKenzie.

Livingston's first corner of the game after 24 minutes allowed them to put some pressure on the visitors.

Lee Makel picked out Oscar Rubio at the far post but his header was weak and fell wide of the target.

But Dundee were looking more dangerous and Mark Fotheringham's 25-yard drive was blocked by the Livi defence before Brady's rebound effort was smothered by the goalkeeper.

It was a close-fought cup tie with few real openings

Then Novo met a long ball from Brady and exchanged a one-two with Steve Lovell before making a run into the box but the Spanish striker screwed his effort well wide.

David Fernandez retaliated for Livingston when he went on a decent run into the box before unleashing a shot but Dens keeper Julian Speroni was never really troubled by the effort.

Livi substitute Fernando Pasquinelli's first real involvement in the game came when he played the ball on to Makel - who bulleted a shot well over the crossbar.

Pasquinelli was subsequently involved in much of the Livi action and he met a Makel pass before firing a shot across the face of goal.

With a little more than 10 minutes to go, Dundee resorted to long-range efforts in a desperate attempt to find the goal which could win them the game - but Brady's 30-yard drive was well off-target.

The Dens Park side had another go when Novo played the ball through to substitute Steven Milne, who fired straight at McKenzie.

Just when the game looked destined to be decided in extra-time, Pasquinelli was hauled down by a combination of Lee Mair and Brent Sancho in the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Lilley stepped up for the pressure kick in the final minute and smashed the ball high into the back of the net to send Livingston into the final against Hibernian or Rangers.

Dundee: Speroni, Mackay, Sancho, Hernandez Santos, Mair, Smith, Brady, Fotheringham, Barrett, Novo, Lovell (Milne 74).

Subs Not Used: McCafferty, Kneissl, Hutchinson, Robb.

Livingston: McKenzie, McNamee, Rubio (Pasquinelli 45), Andrews, McAllister, Makel, Dorado, Lovell, O'Brien, Fernandez, Lilley.

Subs Not Used: Main, Camacho, McGovern, Quino.

Booked: McNamee, Dorado.

Attendance: 6,600.

Referee: M McCurry.