Stephen Dooley (right) battles for possession with Tony Heagney

Davy Patton's goal in the last minute of extra-time earned Coleraine victory over distraught Donegal Celtic in the JJB Sports Irish Cup semi-final replay.

Coleraine had all the early pressure and Marty Hunter headed the Bannsiders ahead on 14 minutes.

However, Donegal Celtic responded and Paul McVeigh hit the woodwork before Sean Armstrong levelled on the hour.

The match went into extra-time and seemed destined for penalties before substitute Patton's last-gasp winner.

The victory earns Coleraine a final-clash against holders Linfield on 3 May.

Coleraine started Tuesday's Ballymena Showgrounds contest brightly and Stephen Carson's early free-kick was tipped over by Donegal Celtic goalkeeper Declan Browne.

Browne had to react smartly to turn away a Stephen Dooley shot on 12 minutes but the DC custodian was beaten two minutes later when Hunter headed home at the far post after a Carson corner.

However, DC quickly regrouped and McVeigh's 18th-minute header was tipped on to the woodwork by Davy O'Hare.

Donegal Celtic's Paul McVeigh is challenged by Tommy McCallion

The Coleraine goalkeeper made two further great saves before half-time to deny first Rory Hamill and then McVeigh once more.

Donegal Celtic continued to press after half-time and McVeigh blasted over on 56 minutes.

But the equaliser did come on the hour with Sean Armstrong heading Liam Bradley's long free-kick past O'Hare.

The best chance in the remainder of normal time fell to Coleraine's Stephen Carson in injury-time but Gerard McCabe cleared off the line.

There were few clearcut openings in extra-time with a Patton header the closest that either side came to breaking the deadlock as a seemingly inevitable penalty shoot-out loomed.

However, in the final seconds Coleraine's Trevor Hutchinson directed a dangerous ball into the DC penalty area after a throw-in and Patton reacted first to fire the ball past Browne.

The stunned Celtic players had no time to react as the full-time whistle was immediately blown.