Super Sub Darg's Puts
Killie Into The Semi's
Kilmarnock 2 Hibernian 1
(CIS Cup Qtr Final,
Rugby Park, Oct 31st 2000)
Kilmarnock's recent
run of 11 (now 12) unbeaten matches continued last night
with a hard fought come from behind win in the league cup
over Hibernian at Rugby Park. Craig Dargo was the hero
coming off the bench to supply the winning goal to send
Killie back to Hampden for the second consecutive year
Kilmarnock survived an
early fright to book their place in the last four of the CIS
Insurance Cup by killing off Hibernian's hopes in horrific
conditions at Rugby Park.
The eagerly-awaited clash between
the Premier League's second and third-placed sides was
always going to throw up a treat, but Russell Latapy
produced the tricks early on with a magical solo effort to
put the visitors in front.
But Kilmarnock hit back in the
second-half with goals from Andy McLaren and
substitute Craig Dargo to inflict revenge for their
Hibernian's win here earlier in the season - Kilmarnock's
last defeat.
Hibernian were on a high going into
the game after their weekend victory at Dundee United to
keep up the pressure on Celtic and they made a dream start
when they took the lead in only the second minute through
Latapy.
Ulrik Laursen's throw-in was headed
on by Mixu Paatelainen to Latapy, who superbly shrugged off
the challenge of Frederic Dindeleux before rounding keeper
Gordon Marshall and coolly stroking the ball home.
Kilmarnock could not have been in
better mood going into the game themselves after
Saturday's 3-0 victory at Rangers
and they came back strongly.
Hibs keeper Nick Colgan had to be
at his agile best in the 12th minute to keep his side in
front as Garry Hay's cross came off the back of Laursen and
dropped into the path of Gary Holt, who fired in an effort
which the keeper did well to push wide.
But the visitors were a real threat
on the break and Latapy went close again in the 18th minute
with a 22-yard free-kick, after Gus MacPherson had fouled
Andrews, which flashed just wide.
Kilmarnock continued to press for
the equaliser, but found Colgan difficult to breach again in
the 21st minute when Holt found Ally Mitchell, who hit a
powerful effort on the run that Colgan could only parry, but
gathered at the second attempt.
Alan
Mahood let his frustrations get the better of him moments
later when he received a yellow card from referee Hugh
Dallas for dissent.
But Kilmarnock were lucky not go
further down in the 26th minute when Andrews worked a neat
one-two with Latapy on the edge of the box, but keeper
Marshall came racing off his line to make a vital save.
Minutes later Chris Innes became
the second Kilmarnock man to go into the book for a foul on
Andrews, but both teams to their credit continued to play
good football.
Dallas, who was beginning to anger
both sets of fans with some strange decisions, looked to
even out the bookings ratio and took Gary Smith's name for a
tackle on Mahood and McIntosh's for a body-check on
Christophe Cocard.
Hibernian then took the lead in the
booking count as Andrews was cautioned for a bad challenge
on MacPherson.
Anything Hibernian could do
Kilmarnock proved they could do better and they were back on
level terms with a brilliantly worked goal just a minute
into the second period.
Ian Durrant picked out the
overlapping run of Hay, who crossed for Andy McLaren
in the centre to slot the ball into the corner past Colgan's
despairing dive.
But Kilmarnock suffered a huge blow
in the 54th minute when Gary Holt was stretchered off with
what looked like an ankle injury and on came Craig Dargo to
take his place.
Hibernian also suffered a setback
in the 70th minute when Paul Fenwick was stretchered off
after a clash of heads with Chris Innes and Derek Collins
entered the fray.
Hibernian
were obviously rattled by Fenwick's departure and a minute
later they were behind when McIntosh and Smith left
Durrant's free-kick into the box and Craig Dargo
fired home from close range, under the advancing Colgan.
(right)
McLeish made desperate changes to
try and rescue the tie and threw Tom Smith and Dirk Lehmann
on in place of Andrews and Paatelainen.
Substitute Smith was then booked
for a foul on McLaren and Kilmarnock weathered everything
Hibernian could throw at them including a late scare from
sub Dirk Lehmann in the closing minutes to clinch their
place in the semi-finals.
Killie went onto beat
Durrant, Holt (Dargo 55), Mahood
