They remain at the foot of the Scottish Premier League, but the Cup competitions continue to provide respite for Aberdeen, who could yet be playing European football in Division One next term.

Andy Dow's stunning 69th-minute strike sent the Dons into the Scottish Cup final against Rangers next month when they will hope to avenge their recent 2-0 CIS Cup final loss to Celtic.

A sparse Hampden Park saw a dour match transformed once Russell Latapy's 56th-minute individual effort put Hibernian ahead and seemingly in the driving seat.

Earlier this term, Aberdeen's response to going behind was to collectively drop their heads and wait for more goals against them - but Ebbe Skovdahl's men have a different mentality now.

This time round at Hampden Park they confirmed their improvement in recent months, albeit one which has yet to earn them safety from relegation, by launching an inspired comeback.

First, Arild Stavrum stabbed home to level the scores after being set up by Eoin Jess before the same duo combined for Dow to win it for Aberdeen and claim a UEFA Cup place into the bargain.

For Hibernian, their 98-year wait for more Scottish Cup success, they last won the trophy in 1902, was extended as the weight of history proved too much to carry once they were ahead.

Hibernian drafted in Scotland Under-21 international Kenny Miller, while defender Martin McIntosh passed a late fitness test on an ankle problem meaning Shaun Dennis dropped to the bench.

Hicham Zerouali was unable to take his place in the Aberdeen line-up due to ankle ligament damage meaning German Andreas Mayer remained in midfield with Robbie Winters again a substitute.

Aberdeen posed the first tangible threat in a lacklustre opening when Cato Guntveit's cross from the right picked out the run of Mayer but his header was floated well over.

Hibernian responded instantly with Franck Sauzee, who has decided to hold off his retirement plans for another year, volleying an effort Jim Leighton did well to hold after a Thomas Solberg error.

After 21 minutes, Eoin Jess, impressive throughout, set up Dow for a clear run at goal on the left, but the midfielder's first touch was poor and allowed a grateful Nick Colgan to gather at his feet.

The Dons threatened again four minutes when Jess' angled pass set Stavrum in behind the Hibernian defence, but he was unable to do more than divert the ball tamely over the bar.

By now Aberdeen were becoming wasteful, a low Dow corner finding its way through to Solberg whose snatched effort on the turn from eight yards again cleared the crossbar.

Pat McGinlay and Dow were each fortunate to escape punishment after 27 minutes when they clashed on the ground, the latter raising an arm at his Hibs counterpart after being fouled.

It was McGinlay who made a more positive contribution on the half-hour when he turned a Miller pass into the side-netting with Leighton seemingly beaten as the deadlock persisted.

Hibernian made what looked a tactical switch after 38 minutes when Paul Hartley, an attacking midfielder, came on for defender Derek Collins with Stuart Lovell switching to a deeper role.

Neither side were imposing themselves on an increasingly ragged opening-half, but it was Aberdeen who should have gone into the break ahead after Jess spurned a fine opportunity.

Mayer's ball forward surprised the Hibernian backline and suddenly Jess found himself with time and space in front of goal, but his eventual shot was hit much too close to Colgan.

Both sides started the half in livelier vein, Sauzee seeing a long-range effort clutched by Leighton, while Stavrum was denied by Colgan after a threaded Dow pass put him away.

Mixu Paatelainen then went close for Hibernian as after his strike partner Miller had held the ball up with skill, the Finn fired a 20-yard effort narrowly wide of the mark.

After 56 minutes it was Hibernian who did take the lead after Miller seized on a loose ball inside his own half and set up Latapy for a run at goal which was to prove decisive.

Miller was in position for the return pass, but Latapy opted to go alone and as Russell Anderson and Solberg got in each other's way the winger cut inside and stroked the ball under Leighton.

Aberdeen needed an instant riposte and after their most sustained attacking spell of the game they mustered a reply through Stavrum's close-range finish on 64 minutes.

Jess' ball into the area found Dow unshackled by the Hibernian central defence and though Colgan got a hand to his shot, Stavrum was following up to tap in the rebound for 1-1.

Hibernian almost regained their lead in their next attack as Hartley found Tom Smith and his half-blocked effort crashed into the side-netting at Leighton's near post.

Incredibly on 69 minutes, Aberdeen were 2-1 ahead after Jess' deep cross was met by Stavrum's cushioned volley for Dow to strike a stunning right-footed shot into the top corner.

Hibernian brought on Dirk Lehmann to supplement their attack, but it was Aberdeen who were now looking the more assured side, Mayer's well-struck volley fizzing over the bar.

Substitute Lehmann produced an 88th-minute header which Leighton did well to hold as Aberdeen's nerve was tested in the closing moments - yet they held firm and now await Rangers.

Teams

Hibernian: Colgan, Collins (Hartley 37), Smith, McIntosh, Hughes, Sauzee, Lovell, McGinlay, Latapy, Paatelainen (Lehmann 72), Miller.

Subs Not Used: Dennis.Booked: McIntosh, Hughes.

Goals: Latapy 56.

Aberdeen: Leighton, Whyte, Solberg, Anderson, McAllister, Mayer, Dow (Lilley 90), Bernard, Guntveit, Jess, Stavrum (Belabed 86).

Subs Not Used: Winters.

Goals: Stavrum 64, Dow 68.

Att: 22,193

Ref: S Dougal (Scotland).