Kilmarnock 1-2 Dundee United (AET): Dylan Levitt extra-time winner for visitors
- Published
Dylan Levitt (second right) scored in extra-time for Dundee United
Dylan Levitt's extra-time winner settled a tight Scottish Cup tie the way of Dundee United as they edged past Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Marc McNulty had given the Premiership side an early lead, but their Championship hosts were soon level through Rory McKenzie.
And the home side had the bulk of the chances but could not find a second and into extra-time it went.
But Levitt's cool finish earned a last-16 tie away to Partick Thistle.
It is yet more late cup woe for Kilmarnock. In three of the last four seasons, they suffered penalty shoot-out defeats against St Mirren and Aberdeen, with Derek McInnes also the architect of an extra-time win in Ayrshire for the latter in 2017-18.
His presence in the home dugout this time could not change their fortunes, and the frustration will be that it was a cup tie where they were left to rue plenty of missed chances.
United were ahead early when Ash Taylor was caught napping at a long ball over the top, and McNulty outpaced him to knock the ball off the far post and in.
Kieran Freeman could have made it 2-0 after he took the ball past the last defender, only for Zach Hemming to block his route to goal.
And Kilmarnock were level when McKenzie found a gap between two defenders on the edge of the box. His first shot was spilled by Benji Siegrist but the attacker slipped the rebound inside the near post.
From that, McInnes' side grew in confidence. Fraser Murray and McKenzie forced saves from inside the box, while Oli Shaw and Daniel MacKay put efforts wide before the break.
Shaw had another fine opportunity when he headed into the hands of Siegrist from close range, Taylor's header was cleared off the line by Nicky Clark, McKenzie and Blair Alston had shots saved, and Taylor headed wide.
Yet it was United who finished the 90 minutes the strongest, and Ilmari Niskanen slewed a low shot off the outside of the post after neat passing play.
Extra-time started with a bang with United's Tony Watt and Kilmarnock's Kyle Lafferty both testing the goalkeepers.
And the goal arrived when Levitt had a lovely first touch to create space for himself inside the box, before lashing home with the left foot.
Kilmarnock pressed for a leveller, with Taylor failing to hit the target from a corner and McKenzie having a shot saved, but their cup dreams again were extinguished in a familiar fashion.
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "From where we were a couple of weeks ago when we first arrived, did I think we were capable of that type of performance? I wasn't so sure.
"We had umpteen chances to get that second goal and, unfortunately for us, when it came for United it was in the dying embers of extra time."
Dundee United manager Thomas Courts: "It was a really hectic game, a bit of a thriller, but once we saw the game ebbing and flowing like that we just committed to it and thankfully got the win.
"There was a real show of character, determination and resilience to get over the line and I'm just delighted to send 1600 Dundee United fans home happy."