Stephen Lowry went from villain to hero with a last gasp winner to fire Linfield into the final of the Tennent's Irish Cup at the expense of Dungannon Swifts at Mourneview Park.
The 30-year-old had earlier missed from the spot but redeemed himself right at the end to secure another big day out for the Blues.
Chances were very much at a premium in a cautious first half during which neither side really managed to grab a foothold in the game.
Andrew Waterworth might have edged the Blues in front early on when, after 11 minutes, he found himself in a good position from a Matthew Clarke cross only be thwarted by a perfectly timed Chris Hegarty tackle.
The Swifts came into proceedings more the longer the first half progressed, testing the Linfield defence on 22 minutes with a Cormac Burke corner before the danger was cleared.
Then, just before the half-hour mark, Douglas Wilson crafted the best chance to date when he rose to connect with a Jarlath O'Rourke corner from the right only to power a header narrowly over.
Linfield squandered a golden opportunity to move in front on 51 minutes after Wilson conceded a penalty for a challenge on Jamie Mulgrew but Lowry was unable to take advantage, seeing his spot-kick well saved by Swifts 'keeper Andy Coleman.
And Linfield threatened again on the hour but Paul Smyth could only fire straight at Coleman after a Lowry free-kick was only partially cleared.
Aaron Burns did have the ball in the net a short time after that but his header from a Waterworth delivery was ruled out following a push on David Armstrong.
Linfield continued to press with just under a quarter-of-an-hour remaining when Smyth found Niall Quinn after a mazy run but the Swifts did enough to clear the ball.
But the Swifts were always dangerous and it took a superb stop from Roy Carroll to keep out substitute Peter McMahon's deflected effort with nine minutes remaining.
However, it was ultimately going to be Linfield's day when, right at the end of normal time, Lowry made up for his penalty miss after getting on the end of a Mark Haughey ball to volley direct a volley past Coleman.
Dungannon Swifts: Coleman, Hegarty, Wilson, Armstrong, Glackin, Mitchell, Harpur, O'Rourke, Burns, Clucas, Burke subs Addis (not used), Fitzpatrick (not used), Teggart (replaced Harpur 90), Lowe (not used), McMahon (replaced Burke 56)
Linfield: Carroll, Stafford, Haughey, Callacher, Waterworth, Lowry, Burns, M. Clarke, Mulgrew, Quinn, Smyth subs Millar (replaced Quinn 78), Ward (not used), Casement (not used), Carson (not used), Deane (not used)
