Rangers' hopes of a domestic treble remain alive as they reached the Scottish Cup final by defeating Celtic in a drab derby at Hampden.

In a repeat of last season's showpiece, chances were few and far between and extra-time appeared a certainty, until Chelsea Cornet scored a superb header with only minutes left.

Holders Celtic threw what they could at it in an attempt to keep the cup that they have won for the past two seasons, but left themselves open at the back and Kirsty Howat's late lob secured Rangers' place in the final on 26 May against either Spartans or Hearts.

Elena Sadiku's side remain in pole position to win their first SWPL title and enjoy a two-point lead over Rangers, but it is their rivals who will be back here next month in the search of their own maiden Scottish Cup success.

Ahead of the fifth meeting of the season between these sides, the chat was all about their strikers. Rio Hardy for Rangers. Amy Gallacher for Celtic. Both started on the bench.

Both, no doubt, would have watched the first half thinking they could offer something, anything, to an affair lacking in opportunities.

Any chances that were created were not through class or quality, but rather defensive mistakes.

That theme continued into the second half. Caitlin Hayes was robbed deep in her own half, which presented Rachel Rowe and Mia McAulay sightings from distance, but the first effort was blocked and the follow-up wide.

Rowe's attempt moments later was the first real chance with 67 minutes on the clock.

The Rangers midfielder has impressed all season and she was a fine Kelsey Daugherty save away from breaking the deadlock.

As has been the tale of the tape between the pair, no edges are given. Tash Flint caught the ball sweetly on the volley, only for it to fizz wide. This was more like it.

It didn't last, though. Substitutions failed to have an immediate impact but, just when it looked like extra-time was on the cards, Cornet rose highest.

The midfielder expertly judged her jump to meet a pin-point corner and steer her header beyond Daugherty.

Hayes was thrown forward in a last-ditch attempt to find a leveller, but her presence was missed in defence and allowed space for Howat to dink home.

A game that promised so much didn't really deliver. Until the final five minutes or so.

Matches between the two have been ferocious and frantic. In the Hampden sun, it was flat.

A staggering 294 goals had been scored between the pair in domestic competitions this season before today. But it took for over an hour to register a shot on target.

Rangers looked the more comfortable. Passes were strung together and forward runs were made. While that's not exactly impressive, their evident togetherness and desire was.

Jo Potter's side were first to everything, and perhaps that was the biggest difference. They know how to win in an ugly affair.

The scoreline doesn't suggest it, but they were forced to huff and puff against Hibs in their quarter-final, before four late goals made for a pretty 6-2 scoreline.

Winning 2-0 today is certainly a fairer reflection for a side who simply wanted it more. Cornet's header was sublime, while Howat's loft was lovely.

Rangers really didn't want extra-time, Celtic would have taken it to drag the day on.

Rangers head coach Jo Potter: "I said to the players at half-time I couldn't think of a time that they'd worried us. The game was there for the taking and it was just about who was going to show up.

"We were creating chances and that was the biggest thing for me.

"We've got four brilliant strikers to choose from and the substitutions always make a difference."

Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku: "We were not on it. That is not the Celtic I am used to seeing and we didn't deserve the win.

"The first half was bad, in the second half we tried to start well but in the end we conceded from a set piece.

"It's about learning from this and make sure that this never happens again. If we want to win titles, this is not good enough."

It’s back to league business on Wednesday. Rangers host Hearts (20:10 BST), while Celtic welcome Glasgow City (18:10). Both games are live on BBC Alba plus the BBC Sport website & app.