Marc Fitzpatrick fired Motherwell into the final of the CIS Insurance Cup following an epic tie against Hearts

Stephen Craigan and Richie Foran netted to give Motherwell a comfortable cushion but substitutes Mark Burchill and Halmar Thorarinsson both grabbed their first goals for Hearts to send the tie into extra time.

Just when it looked as though the game would be decided by penalties, Fitzpatrick fired home the winner in the final minute of extra-time to set up a meeting with either Rangers or Dundee United.

The CIS Insurance Cup may not be the most fashionable competition in Scottish football but Livingston showed last year that it provides the best opportunity for clubs outside the Old Firm to claim silverware.

They defied the odds to lift the trophy weeks after being plunged into administration and Hearts and Motherwell headed into tonight's game hoping they could be the ones to make history this time around.

Hearts were boosted by the return of Paul Hartley for the clash at Easter Road and the Jambos fans were clearly just relieved he was still part of the team following Celtic's last-ditch attempts to sign him before the transfer window closed.

Both clubs were too far apart in their valuation of the player but the Hearts support made their feelings known when they spent most of the first half chanting his name.

However, it was the Motherwell fans who had the most to cheer about when the surged into the lead after 20 minutes.

An inswinging free-kick from Steven Hammell found Craigan at the far post and goalkeeper Craig Gordon was left with no chance with the header.

Hearts tried to claw their way back into the cup tie and they came close through Dennis Wyness but his shot cannoned off the Motherwell defence and Hartley squandered the rebound by blasting well over the crossbar.

Hartley had the opportunity to make amends when he was released into the box by Jamie McAllister but goalkeeper Gordon Marshall managed to block at the far post. The ball fell to Joe Hamill but Hammell managed to clear the danger before he could pull the trigger.

Hammell was then causing problems at the other end of the park for Hearts when he forced Gordon into a superb save which saw the goalkeeper just manage to tip the shot over the crossbar.

But it was Hearts who were left rueing missed opportunities when Martyn Corrigan somehow managed to hook a Wyness shot off the line on the stroke of half-time.

Hearts were piling on the pressure after the restart and a Hamill cross found Robbie Neilson out on the right flank and he fired across the face of goal into the path of Wyness but Scott Leitch just managed to stab wide for a corner instead.

With 77 minutes on the clock it looked certain that Motherwell would be progressing to the final of the competition when McDonald was hauled down in the box by McAllister and referee Dougie McDonald did not hesitate to point to the spot.

Foran was the man handed the task of holding his nerve from the penalty spot and he sent the Motherwell fans into ecstasy when he calmly fired past the Hearts goalkeeper from 12 yards.

But Hearts refused to give up and they pulled a goal back with just five minutes to go.

Stephen Simmons flighted a free-kick into the box and the ball was met by substitute Mark Burchill who bundled over the line to set up a nail-biting finale to the tie before Thorarinsson bulleted home the equaliser in injury time to send the game into extra-time.

Not surprisingly, Motherwell looked slightly deflated heading into extra-time and it was Hearts who looked the team most likely to find the back of the net again.

Leitch found himself caught in possession, allowing Simmons a free shot on goal but his effort fell inches over the crossbar.

Motherwell thought they had booked their place in the final when David Clarkson went on a superb run before picking out Corrigan at the far post and he stabbed home but the assistant referee's flag was already raised for off-side.

But it was the Fir Park side who were destined to progress to the final of the CIS Insurance Cup when Fitzpatrick slotted home in the final minute of extra-time to grab the winner for Motherwell.

Teams

Motherwell Marshall, Corrigan, Craigan, Partridge, Leitch, Hammell, McBride (Clarkson 75), O'Donnell, Paterson (Fitzpatrick 75), Foran (Paul Quinn 113), Scott McDonald.

Subs Not Used: Fagan, Corr.

Booked: Hammell, McBride, O'Donnell, Craigan, Foran.

Goals: Craigan 20, Foran 78 pen, Fitzpatrick 120.

Hearts Gordon, Neilson, Pressley, Webster, McAllister, Mikoliunas, MacFarlane (Simmons 60), Hartley, Hamill (Thorarinsson 74), Miller, Wyness (Burchill 61).

Subs Not Used: Berra, Moilanen.

Booked: Mikoliunas, Pressley.

Goals: Burchill 85, Thorarinsson 90. After Extra Time

Att: 14,069

Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).