Tim McCann scores his first goal for three months

Linfield 0-1 Glentoran
(Golden goal after 106 minutes)

Tim McCann scored his first goal for Glentoran against Linfield to take his side through to the Co Antrim Shield final against Ballymena.

And what a golden goal it was for the Glentoran substitute with his strike coming after 106 minutes of a tense dual between the Belfast rivals.

It was winger McCann's first goal for over three months and it came at the end of game which lacked enterprise and excitement until the final quarter of normal time.

Linfield could have had the game wrapped up just before the game went into extra-time with Chris Morgan missing a glorious opportunity.

The first half was mundane as both teams appeared to go through the motions.

Glentoran had a penalty appeal turned down midway through the half when Noel Bailie, playing his 700th game for the Blues, tangled with Darren Armour in the box.

However, Glentoran's protests were waved away by referee David Malcolm.

Neither keeper was troubled to any great extent with Glentoran's Elliott Morris able to stand idle as Lee Feeney fired a 20-yard shot well wide.

The game failed to ignite until the final few minutes of normal time.

First Glens striker Andy Smith saw a rasping shot saved by Alan Mannus after good work by Scott Young.

Winner

Then came that Morgan sitter. The Linfield striker fired over the bar from six yards after a Glenn Ferguson volley had hit the crossbar.

Two minutes into extra time Linfield saw another opportunity go abegging.

Morgan this time was the provider when he put Mark Picking in possession, but the winger saw his shot well stopped by Morris.

Ferguson failed to get a proper touch on the rebound from close-in and the ball drifted past the upright.

Then came that winner from McCann. Michael O'Neill floated in a corner and McCann's shot from the edge of the box took the holders into the final.

Glentoran have now only been defeated once in the last 14 'Big Two' derbies, and gone undefeated in last eight.

Roy Coyle's side will now defend their title against Ballymena at the Oval next Tuesday.