Glentoran defeat Linfield 2-1 on Tuesday, 2 - 2 on aggregate, with the away goal seeing Glentoran through to the next round.
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Linfield 1 - 2 Glentoran (2 - 2 agg.)
On 8 minutes, the game exploded into life. Linfield striker Curtis Allen appeared to be shoved in the back as he tried to reach a looping Aidan O'Kane header but referee David Malcolm did not see an infringement, much to the disgust of the Linfield faithful.
A minute later, Billy Joe Burns got on the end of a superb cross by Aidan O'Kane but the Blues' midfielder couldn't get enough power on his effort to cause Elliott Morris any trouble.
After 13 minutes, Glentoran midfielder Johnny Black unleashed a powerful long range effort which went inches wide of an outstretched Stuart Addis' right hand post.
Curtis Allen's 16th minute free kick stung the palms of a diving Elliott Morris - the Glentoran shot stopper having to be at his best to save Allen's goalbound 22 yard free kick.
Pressure
Colin Nixon almost broke the deadlock on 20 minutes. Johnny Black's corner from the right was planted on top of the head of the Glentoran full back but unfortunately for the travelling supporters it went a couple of yards over Addis' crossbar.
Keith Gillespie hooked goalward a hopeful Colin Nixon long ball on 41 minutes but Stuart Addis gratefully watched it go just wide of his right hand post.
A minute later, both teams played out their own version of 'pin-ball' as the Linfield defence tried to keep out Paul Leeman's initial looping header.
Glentoran took the lead on the stroke of half time. A neat move in which Gary Hamilton found Michael Halliday resulted in the latter feeding Dean Fitzgerald who kept a cool head to slot the ball past Stuart Addis in the Linfield goal.
Glentoran almost snatched the lead on 47 minutes when Dean Fitzgerald fed Gary Hamilton on the edge of the box. With all the goal to aim at, the Glentoran striker fired his shot into the side netting, much to the relief of the Linfield defence.
Daryl Fordyce made it two nil to Glentoran on 50 minutes when he hit a rasping left footed shot from 18 yards that gave Stuart Addis absolutely no chance in the Linfield goal.
It was just reward for the Glens who took advantage of Linfield's lacklustre start to the second half.
Colin Nixon probably should have made matters worse for the Blues on 70 minutes when he ghosted into the box completely unmarked before putting his header well over the Linfield crossbar.
Gary Hamilton's audacious free kick attempt from the left hand touch line hit the inside of the crossbar before bouncing out - a terrific effort from all of 40 yards.
Daryl Fordyce almost made it three on 84 minutes when he cut inside from the left and curled a great right foot shot which Addis did well to tip over the crossbar.
Curtis Allen pulled a goal back on 88 minutes when he smashed home Philip Lowry's knockdown.
It was an excellent finish from the Linfield striker who had been frustrated for the majority of the evening by a stubborn and resolute Glentoran rearguard.
A late Linfield surge was not enough to secure passage to the semi-finals of this year's Cooperative Insurance Cup.
Glentoran won thanks to the away goal rule and it was justice, well served given another lacklustre second half showing from the Windsor Park side.
Linfield Team: Addis, Douglas, Gault, Curran, BJ Burns (Garrett 63'), Lindsay, Miskimmin (McAllister 46'), O'Kane (Lowry 46'), Allen Ervin, Mulgrew.
Subs: Bailie, Burns.
Glentoran Team: Morris, Nixon, Leeman, McCabe, Ward, Fordyce, Halliday, Hamilton, Fitzgerald, Black, Gillespie.
Subs: James Taylor, Neill, Clarke, Johnny Taylor, Hill.
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