Dean Shiels' injury time sent Killmarnock through to the final of the Scottish Communities League Cup at the expense of local rivals Ayr United.

The Northern Irishman's 109th minute goal was all that could seperate the two teams after the SPL side were left frustated by a stubborn Ayr United defence that refused to give way to a their dominating Ayrshire neighbours.

The Honest Men's keeper Kevin Cuthbert was in inspired form throughout the game, denying Gary Harkins, Shiels, Manuel Pascali and Garry Hay with some great saves in the second half.

However, Cuthbert's stubborn resistance was broken when Shiels, who had recovered from illness to play, drove low into the corner to set up a final appearance against either Celtic or Falkirk.

In what was a decidedly one sided encounter, with Killmarnock enjoying 70% possession, the game should have been a comfortable stroll for the Rugby Park side as they created several chances in both halves.

Kilmarnock eased their way into the match, with Shiels' sending an unconvincing 25-yard drive wide of the mark in the sixth minute, but they would soon find their stride against against a defensive minded Ayr side.

In the 23rd minute, Ayr captain John Robertson was forced to head the ball away from his own goal line after Killie midfielder Garry Hay attempted a chip. Hay was then unsuccessful with a drive from distance which Cuthbert comfortably collected.

Ayr's first effort on goal came in the 33rd minute when Michael McGowan curled a free-kick from 25 yards over the Killie bar, before Shiels again drove wide at the other end.

This was followed by a decent close-range save from Cuthbert to deny Ben Gordon, as the first half drew to a close.

Into the second and Kilmarnock continued their direct approach play when James Dayton sped past Ayr defender Eddie Malone into the United box before failing to pick out a team mate. Another chance wasted for the increasingly frustrated Killie.

As the game approached the hour mark, Shiels looked most dangerous for Kilmarnock, setting up Gordon and testing Cuthbert on a few occaisions but the United stopper was more than equal to anything that was thrown at him.

A stunning 79th minute save by Cuthbert had the Ayr fans on their feet as he stretched to tip Shiels' 30-yard drive over the bar before knocking Pascali's downward header past the post from the resulting corner.

While Cuthbert was having a busy day at the office, Killie keeper Cammy Bell made his first save of the game in the 82nd minute from Andy Geggan's drive before the attention again turned to Cuthbert who tipped Hay's powerful drive over the bar for yet another corner which Killie squandered.

With the game into extra time, substitute David Silva, on earlier for Dayton, screwed an angled drive wide of the far post before Kilmarnock's relentless pressure finally broke through.

In the 109th minute Shiels first drive was parried by the former St Johnstone keeper, who then saved from Paul Heffernan but when the ball came out again Shiels rifled it low into the net.

In the closing seconds, Ayr responded, throwing everything forward but Killie held out for a merited but unnecessarily tough victory.