THERE are times when it is better to be lucky than good and trying to reach a Scottish Cup final for the first time in 17 years is certainly one of those occasions. Aberdeen haven’t competed for this famous old trophy since a 4-0 defeat to Rangers back in 2000 and, having finally seen off Hibernian in one of the most exhilarating semi-finals in recent memory, they were in no mood to pick over the aesthetics of just how that had been achieved.

There was no doubt they benefited from a massive dollop of good fortune at what proved to be the winning goal with just five minutes of a pulsating contest remaining but Aberdeen will care little for that. Either Celtic or Rangers now await them in the final on May 27 when they will look to bring the trophy back to Pittodrie for the first time since 1990.

For a club of their stature, Aberdeen have made a regular rickets of dealing with semi-finals over the years and this was beginning to look like another of those occasions. Two goals ahead, thoroughly dominant, and seemingly coasting through to their second final of the season, they conceded one goal to Hibs before half-time and then another just after an hour, and seemed to be on the brink of overseeing one of the most spectacular collapses of recent times.

Hibs had their tails up as a thrilling, frenetic contest seemed set to continue into extra-time but there would be two more telling moments before the 90 minutes were up. The first was the winning goal. Jonny Hayes, whose influence had been felt only fleetingly until that juncture, took possession from Anthony O’Connor and sped towards goal.

His shot was almost certainly heading off target until it struck the knee of the unfortunate Darren McGregor and changed direction, leaving goalkeeper Ofir Marciano wrong-footed. The ball still seemed to be drifting just wide only to spin on contact with the ground like a Shane Warne googly and dribble inside the post.

There would be one last moment of drama, however, in the dying seconds and once again Marciano was involved. Rushing forward as Jason Cummings prepared to send in one final corner, the goalkeeper managed to make decent contact with his header only for Joe Lewis, his opposite number, to pluck the ball from the air. A few seconds later and Aberdeen were celebrating the final whistle and Hibs’ defence of the trophy was over.

Manager Neil Lennon, leading a team out at Hampden for the first time in four years, was scathing in his post-match criticism of Hibs’ performance. They deserve credit for the way they fought back to make a game of it after such a poor start, although they did not help their cause by conceding two rather avoidable goals in the opening 25 minutes.

Early kick-offs tend to be something of a slow burner but not this one as Aberdeen claimed a lead within the opening 12 seconds. What made it more spectacular was the fact it was Hibs who had kicked off the match.

John McGinn was crowded out of possession, Marvin Bartley won it back before McGregor – who would endure a game to forget – was sluggish in a lateral pass to Efe Ambrose. Adam Rooney was alert to the opportunity, nipped in and finished with composure past Marciano. And all before many among the 31,969 had even taken their seats.

That settled any Aberdeen nerves and they seemed on course for a straightforward afternoon when they added a second midway through the half. It was another calamity from Hibs’ perspective. Fraser Fyvie clattered into Kenny McLean wide on Aberdeen’s right, the perfect position for Ryan Christie to deliver a free kick into the box. Or so Hibs thought.

Instead, the on-loan Celtic forward spotted another opportunity, bending a left-foot shot through a two-man defensive wall that split like an old pair of pants and into the goal at Marciano’s near post, the goalkeeper having jumped forward anticipating a cross. The slight delay in the celebrations from the Aberdeen fans at the other end of Hampden highlighted their surprise that Christie had scored from such an unlikely angle. “Oh, it’s in,” shouted one, presuming initially that the ball must have hit the side netting.

With Hibs staring at an ignominious exit, Lennon reacted by taking off Fyvie – who trooped dejectedly off the field like a truculent teenager – and switching to a 4-4-2 formation. It paid instant dividends and, by the end of the contest, substitute Grant Holt had both a goal and an assist to his name.

The goal came just three minutes after he had been catapulted into the action from Hibs’ first attempt on goal. Martin Boyle whizzed past a few half-hearted challenges before dropping the ball right on Holt’s head who couldn’t miss from six yards.

That placed a seed of doubt in Aberdeen minds and Hibs sensed a spectacular comeback was on the cards when they drew level after 61 minutes. Dylan McGeouch started and finished it, working a nice 1-2 with Holt before driving a low shot beyond Joe Lewis, sending Lennon on a Mourinho-style dash to the corner flag and back to celebrate. Many would have backed Hibs to go on to win it from there but instead it was Aberdeen who would fashion the winning goal to book their place in the final. They will feel it is overdue.